This is a ritual reflecting the bride as a form of the goddess Lamxi and the groom is Lord Narayana. The parents facilitate their union. In this wedding ceremony, the bride’s father places his daughter’s hand in the hand of the groom, indicating the responsibility of the groom for his daughter from this day onwards.

Havan (Lighting of the Sacred Fire)

The havan is the fire, the symbol of purity. The couple invites Agni the ‘God of fire’ to witness the commitment to each other. Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar rice and oil are offered to the ceremonial fire.

Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial Knot)

Gath bandhan symbolizes the eternal bond that sanctifies the wedding as they pledge before God to love each other through the thick and thin for the lifetime. The scarves placed around the bride and groom is tied together.

Mangalphera (Walk Around the Fire)

The mangalphera consists of the four circles that the couple has to take around the fire in a clockwise direction representing four goals in life: Dharma, religious and moral duties; Artha, prosperity; Kama, earthly pleasures; Moksha, spiritual salvation and liberation.

Saptapardi (Seven Steps Together)

This is one of the very important parts of the Indian wedding ceremony. The bride and groom walk seven steps together to indicate the beginning of their journey through life together. Each step represents a marital vow:

First step: To respect and honor each other

Second step: To share each other's joy and sorrow

Third step: To trust and be loyal to each other

Fourth step: To cultivate appreciation for knowledge, values, sacrifice and service

Fifth step: To reconfirm their vow of purity, love, family duties and spiritual growth

Sixth step: To follow principles of Dharma (righteousness)

Seventh step: To nurture an eternal bond of friendship and love

Sindhoor (Red Powder)

The groom applies a thin line of vermilion, a powdered red lead, to the bride's forehead and accepts her as his lawfully wedded wife and partner of life. Her husband applies Sindoor first time during the wedding .