wedding ceremony
September 7th, 2024
BaRAat
The wedding starts as Parth, with his family and friends, arrives in a vibrant procession filled with music and dance. Priyanka’s family warmly welcomes them at the entrance. This marks the beginning of the union of the two families.
Kashi Yatra
Groom’s entrance
The Kashi Yatra is a Tamil wedding ritual where Parth decides to dedicate his life to God in Kashi (Benaras). Priyanka’s father then persuades him to embrace domestic life and promises his daughter's hand in marriage.
Maalai matral & oonjal
garland exchange
Exchanging of garlands symbolizes Priyanka choosing Parth as the one she wants to marry. The couple's uncles lift them on their shoulders as they compete to garland each other first. Afterward, they sit together on an oonjal (swing) and married women offer them sweets.
Ganesh Pooja
The wedding begins after offering prayers to Lord Ganesh, the remover of all obstacles.
kanya agamana
bride’s entrance
The priest calls for the bride. Priyanka is then escorted by her parents to the Mandap. Just as Priyanka arrives at the Mandap, an antarpat (curtain) is placed in front of Parth.
Kanya Daan
Priyanka’s parents symbolically give her away by joining her hand with Parth’s while reciting prayers for the longevity of their married life. Priya will tie a knot between Parth and Priyanka’s dupatta which represents the love that binds two souls for a lifetime.
giving away the bride
Agni Pooja
lighting the fire
Agni is the Goddess of fire and carries prayers to the heavens. Agni (fire) is lit to witness the union of Priyanka and Parth who offer ghee, rice, sandalwood and flowers to signify the spirit of sacrifice and partnership.
mangal pheras
four sacred rounds
Priyanka and Parth circle the fire four times. The four pheras each represent the basic goals of life: Dharma (moral sense to lead a good life), artha (prosperity), kama (energy and passion) and moksha (liberation through self-realization). Parth leads Priyanka on the first three pheras while Priyanka takes over for the fourth. It is said that whoever takes their seat first after finishing the pheras will be the ruler of the household!
saptapadi
Seven steps
Priyanka and Parth take seven steps, each representing one vow, to symbolize the beginning of their journey together for life.
- To cherish each other in happiness and sorrow
- To be lifelong friends
- To share each other’s ideals
- To nourish each other’s strengths, powers and fortune
- To embrace each other’s families as their own
- To love, provide and care for their children
- To look toward the mysteries of the future with open-mindedness and inspiration
mangalsutra & Sindoor
wedding symbols
As a symbol of their marriage and as his promise to love and protect her always, Parth will tie the mangalsutra (black-bead necklace) around Priyanka and place sindoor in her hair. Finally, they exchange wedding bands.
vIlayadal
wedding games
The Vileyadal is Priyanka’s formal introduction to Parth’s relatives, who welcome her into the family with gifts and games.
aashirvad
blessings
The newly-wedded couple seek blessings from their priest, their parents, relatives and friends for a happy married life together.
vidaai
farewell
Priyanka bids farewell to her parents, family and friends as she leaves her childhood home to join Parth and his family.