Arya Samaj Marriage Rituals

Welcome, and greetings are extended to the bridegroom, bride, family, and friends.

The bridesmaids and the father escort the bride to the Mandap (nuptial canopy).

The priest guides the couple to the Mandap (nuptial canopy). Bride welcomes Groom with a floral garland and Groom garlands Bride. This exchange symbolizes formal acceptance and respect.

The bride offers a mixture of honey and yogurt to the groom. Honey symbolizes the sweetness of eternal love and yogurt for the sake of his eternal good health and nutrition.

In the marriage ceremony performed through Vedic process, there is no Kanyadan but Kanya-Aadan. In this ceremony, the parents of the bride and groom hold the hands of the bride and groom and declare in front of the society by taking mantra and resolution that from today onwards, we will not discriminate between these two children in any way. We will never discriminate between them. We will always treat them with Dharma, truth and justice.

It is mentioned in the Vedas that Agni is the mouth of all the gods. That is why in Agnihotra, all the gods are invoked and a wish is made for the well-being of the bride and groom. In this yagya, while offering mantras, prayers are offered that the married life of these two should be auspicious, beneficial and prosperous for everyone.

The bride and groom hold each other’s hands and promise to support each other for life.

A rock is placed in the northeast comer of the Mandap. While Bride places her right foot on the piece of rock, Groom recites a hymn the Ashma Bhava. The statement is to encourage his wife to be as strong as the rock, to be firm towards any difficulties of life they may face together. Rice and flowers are sprinkled on the couple by her parents, relatives, and friends.

God has given human life for four tasks. Considering the fire as the manifestation of God and to achieve their main goal, in this process of marriage, the bride and groom take four rounds of the fire holding each other’s hands.The four goals symbolize the couple’s commitment to each other.

Dharma: Moral sense to lead a good life.
Artha: Financial prosperity the.
Kama: Blessing for strong, virtuous children and to share the responsibilities of home.
Moksha: is self-restraint and eternal physical, mental, and spiritual strength Together.

The bride’s brother puts Laja in the hands of the Bride & Groom to offer to Agni. And people from both families stand around the mandap and bless the bride with flowers.

The bride and groom take seven steps forward together, symbolizing the beginning of their journey through life. These steps signify the guiding principles of life. Each of these steps represents the vows made by the couple:
First step: Together we will love, cherish and respect one another from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health … forever.

Second step: Together we will create a home full of joy and laughter, where we find serenity and strength.

Third step: Together we will share a steadily deepening love, which grows in understanding and unselfishness.

Fourth Step: Together we will embrace each other’s family as well as our own yet to come. Let us have a measure of patience and forgive with grace.

Fifth step: Together we will develop a sense of value that we may care for people more than possessions, for honor more than honors, and for the dimensions of a home more than the details of a house.

Sixth step: Together, we pray to God for a healthy and disease-free life for us and our families.

Seventh step: Together we will live a balanced and harmonious life. Let us forever be best friends and partners, share each other’s ideas and ideals. The couple is now united and will pray for the blessings from God. The father-in-law offers the bride a sacred necklace.

The bridegroom puts Sindhoor (Red Powder) in the parting of the bride’s hair and welcomes her into his life as his eternal partner. The newly wedded couple touches the feet and takes blessings from the parents of both families.

All guests and relatives recite a hymn with the priest to wish the couple good luck, prosperity, and a long, happy married life together. Panditji says.. Arya Samaj Marriage Rituals… Vivah sampann Hua.