Download Welcome (“Vanakum” the formal Tamil welcome) The wedding of

Welcome
(“Vanakum” the formal Tamil welcome)
The wedding of ALAN & ATHELA
Officiated by Swami Suresh Acharya (Priest)
The traditional Hindu wedding is a deeply meaningful and symbolic combination of
rituals and traditions. It is a ceremony that is about 4000 years old. Each phase of the
ceremony has a symbolic, philosophical, and spiritual meaning. The ceremony not
only to joins the souls of the bride and groom, but also creates a strong tie between
two families. The ceremony is traditionally performed in Sanskrit, which is the
language of ancient India and Hinduism.
The Hindu marriage ceremony can vary with customs of different regions of India,
with key elements remain the same.
As the Bride’s origin being that of Tamil Nadu, the southern-most state of India, this
wedding follows the ritual and custom follows this part of India.
The gates of the wedding hall are adorned with full-grown banana trees, signifying
evergreen plenty for endless generations.
Overhead festoons of mango leaves signify the never fading relationship to begin
here.
At the threshold of the hall, sprinkling of rose water perfumes the visitors.
Guest have the option of putting sandal paste and red Sindhoor (also know as
Kumkum) mark on their forehead.
Flowers will be offered to women as a welcoming gift to be worn in their hair.
Pieces of sugar candy available to all brings forth the sweetness of happy event that
the visitor has arrived to take part in.
Notes of nadaswaram (south Indian music) heard signify the sacred and divine union.
Kolam or rangoli designs on the floor of the entrance beckoning a hearty welcome to
the well wishers who arrive for the function.
As guests take their seats facing the alter (mandap), the Groom will arrive signalling
the commencement of the ceremony at precisely 5.00pm
Shoes are only allowed in the courtyard of the temple. It is essential that no
footwear or any leather items be carried into the internal rooms of the temple.
People without shoes or leather items (including wallets or belts) are welcome to
enter the inner worshiping rooms.
OM SRI GANESHAYA NAMAH
Ceremonies
At the Entrance
At the entrance of the temple the bridegroom is welcomed by sprinkling rose-water.
The bride's brother applies a sandalwood paste and Shindoor on his forehead and
garlands him with flowers. While married ladies perform an arati (bronze plate,
holding a flame) is circled in front of the groom to ward off evil effects and the
malefic influence of the ‘evil eye’.
The best man (The bride’s brother) will wash the feet of the groom with milk and
water and place a silver ring on his toe. This symbolises the brother of the bride
humbling himself before the man who is going to be joined to his sister. The groom
then will put a gold ring on the best man’s finger in acknowledgment of this gesture.
Then the groom will be ushered to the mandap (the alter were the prayers and
ceremony takes place)
The bride then exits the inner temple to join the groom at the mandap so that the
ceremony can begin.
At the Mandap (alter)
1. Ganesha (First God) Pooja (Prayers)
Always the first prayer is dedicated to Lord Ganesha to ask for
his blessing and removal of obstacles for this auspicious
ceremony. Turmeric or sandalwood powder mixed with water
is moulded into a cone representing Lord Ganesha. Prayers are
made to enlist divine protection from the unforeseen, the priest
gives the groom a ring of grass (Pavithram) and a bangle
(Kaapu) made of saffron thread to be worn on his wrist.
2. Vanura (Lord of Water)Pooja (prayers)
We pray to Lord of Water Vanura for the purification of the wedding site and to rid it
of durvasanas (ill omens).
3. Uma Maheswara Pooja (prayer)
Pooja is conducted to invite Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathy, to be present at the
wedding to bless the bride and groom.
4. Navagraha Pooja (Nine Planet prayers)
This Pooja is conducted to create a harmonious and auspicious disposition from the
nine planets of our Solar system. Ancient Indian studies indicated that various
celestial bodies have an influence on the destiny of every individual.
The effect of the nine planets is meant to be the most profound.
5. Rakshabandan (Tying of Kappu and Vratham is conducted)
For the bride, it means the tying of the kappu, the holy thread on her wrists, which is
meant to ward off all evil sprits. It symbolizes a kind of protective armor for the bride.
For the groom vratham begins with invocations involving the Gods Indra, Soma,
Chandra and Agni. From thereon, the groom prepares himself for a new chapter in his
life as a householder or grihasta. The days of his bachelorhood or brahmacharya are
over now and the Gods are his guide and teacher.
6. Kanya Daan (Giving Bride to Groom & family)
The prime wealth of a Hindu household is the (Kanya), who
symbolizes the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi who represents wealth.
Bride’s Brother Nanda will place her hands into Groom’s hand and
pour holy water over them to finalize the gesture of transferring
wealth (daughter) from the bride’s family to grooms. The Grooms
parents will hold their hands under the Grooms to accept the Bride into their family.
It is noted in Vedic scriptures that there is no greater "Daana" (gift) than Kanya Daan
(giving a daughters hand in marriage).
During this ritual the Priest will recite the names of the Bride and Grooms paternal
line back three generations.
7. Manglaya Pooja/ Mangalya Dharana
The Manglaya (a gold wedding symbol; also know as the Thali), attached to a yellow
cotton string sits on a coconut, on a tray covered in rice. The Bride and Groom will
place offerings on the tray while the priest chants Sanskrit mantras to Goddess
Manglaya to protect the Manglaya.
The Goddess Manglaya is also known as Goddess Mahalakshmi
Then the tray which holds the Manglaya will be carried around to the guests to seek
their blessing which involves touching the tray with both hands and then bring their
hands to their eyes.
The guests can also take some rice and flower petals from the tray to be thrown on the
Bride and Groom from their existing position when the Manglaya is tied around the
Bride’s neck.
8. Tying the Mangalyam and Sindhoor
This symolises the binding of the bride and groom as One in Life.
The tying of Thali takes place at exactly the pre-determined auspicious
hour. The groom ties the cotton string, holding the gold Mangalyam
around the neck of the bride. Three knots are tied. The first two knots
are tied by the bridegroom. The third knot is tied by the groom’s sister
to welcome the bride as part of their family.
The following mantras will be spoken:
mAngalyam tantunAnena mama jIvanA hethunA |
kaNThe: badhnami subhage! sanjIva Sarada: Satam ||
(meaning)
This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your
neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes! May you live happily for a
hundred years (with me).
As he does so the Nadaswaram (South Indian classical music) is played loudly
and fast so as to muffle any negative sounds at the auspicious moment
The groom places Sindhoor (vermilion powder) on the bride's forehead. The sindhoor
is indicative of a blood union as well as the unmistakable mark of a Hindu married
woman.
9. Havan (Fire God) Pooja (prayers)
Blessing is sought from the God of Fire A crucial part of the wedding is
the homage paid by the couple to Havan. They circle around the fire three
times, and feed it with ghee, and twigs of nine types of trees, as sacrificial
fuel.
Havan, the mightiest power in the cosmos, the sacred purifier, the allround benefactor, is deemed as a witness to the marriage.
10. Saptha Pathi (Seven Steps)
Holding the bride’s hand the bridegroom walks seven steps around the holy fire with
her and only when they walk these seven steps together (i.e. perform the Saptha Pathi)
is the marriage complete. With each step the following vow is taken.
 Nourishment
 Mental and spiritual well being
 Wealth and prosperity
 Wisdom and knowledge
 Healthy procreation
 Good health, comfort and bounteous seasons
 Everlasting love and friendship.
While moving around the fire the Bride’s brother (best man) will give the Bride and
Groom rice flakes, which they will both place into the fire that beckoning prosperity,
wealth and happiness.
11. Exchanging Garlands & Assan Parivartan (changing position)
Bride welcomes Groom with a floral garland and Groom garlands Bride. This
exchange symbolizes formal acceptance and respect. These are repeated 3
times between the bride and groom. Then the Groom switches from the left of
the Bride to the right symbolizing the Brides passage from her family home to
her husband’s home.
12. Treading on the Grindstone known as "ammi" in Tamil
The ammi stands at the right side of the sacred fire. Holding
the bride’s left foot toe, the bridegroom helps her tread on a
grindstone. The groom washes the feet with milk and put on
the sandalwood paste and sindhoor before putting on a silver
toe ring. This is performed on both feet.
Significance of this ceremony
“Mount on this stone, and let thy mind be rock firm,
unperturbed by the trials and tribulations of life.”
13. Arundhati and Dhruva Star
Next the groom shows the bride the star Arundhati (from the Saptha Rishi or Great
Bear constellation) as also Dhruva or the pole star. The couple also seek the blessings
of Arundhati and Vashisht Nakshatras, the two stars that appear as one always.
14. Ashirvaad (Blessing)
Parents and close relatives offer blessing to the newly wedded couple by showering
them with flowers petal and saffron rice. The wedding guests can then give their
individuals blessings to the bride and groom and once the marriage ceremony ends.
15. Shantipaath/ Mangalam (Peace &Conclusion prayers)
The priest performs the final prayers:
Rithivi Mangalam
Gagana mangalam
Surya mangalam
Vayu mmangalam
Pasupaksi Mangalam
Vrikeha Mangalam
We all pray for the
auspicious on the earth,
the heavens, the sun,
the air, in birds
and animal, the
vegetation and mankind
Aasota Maa Sad Gamaya
Thamosa Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityur Maa Amritam Gamaya
From the unreal lead me to real
From the darkness lead me to light
From the death lead me to immortality
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
May all being be well
May all being be well
May all being be well
Bride will be given a pot containing water, decorated by coconut and mango leaf from
the temple to be taken to her new home
(Symbolising the eternal fulfilment of married life)
THE END