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The Hindu marriage ceremony is considered sacred, binding a man and woman together for life. It takes the Hindu couple into the second ashrama.

Traditionally, the day before the marriage, the bride has her hands and feet decorated with beautiful designs made with henna.

On the morning of the marriage, the bride and groom take baths and put on perfumed oils to symbolise being pure and ready to commit themselves to each other. In some Hindu communities the bride and groom fast until the wedding ceremony is complete.

Features of the marriage ceremony

• Most weddings take place in a mandap which contains a sacred fire at its centre. The groom traditionally waits for the bride in the mandap with the priest and family members.
• Prayers and offerings are made to Lord Ganesh.
• The bride and groom place flower garlands around each other’s necks, symbolising an unbroken circle to show eternal union. The priest then ties the bride’s sari to a scarf worn by the groom, symbolising the couple’s physical and spiritual union.
• The bride and groom throw offerings of grains into the sacred fire in the hope of fertility regarding both food supplies and children. They walk several times around the sacred fire with each circuit representing different aspects of marriage.
• The bride and groom take seven steps and make seven promises to each other, including respecting each other, to have children, to be together for life and to protect each other.
• The groom puts red powder into the bride’s hair to show that she is now a married woman.
• The parents, family members and friends give their blessing to the couple using rice as a symbol of fertility.

In a traditional Hindu marriage, the aim is for the couple to grow together and share their joys and sorrows with each other. They will take care of their children and later, share wisdom with their grandchildren.