The bride and groom are surrounded by their immediate family inside the wedding mandap.
The bride and groom speak their vows in the presence of Agni, the sacred fire, who is the true spiritual witness of the union. The couple circles the fire seven times (phere) solidifying their union.
Family gathers on the morning of the ceremony.
Men get ready to join the baraat, the procession of the groom and his family to the wedding hall.
The baraat is led by this decorated vehicle, which is loaded with a band and speakers to broadcast the sound. A singer performs traditional songs, leading the groom’s family as they dance, clap, and cheer on the way to the wedding hall.
The groom’s family and friends gather with the baraat band.
A veil of flowers (sehra) covers the groom’s eyes until he meets his bride under the wedding canopy (mandap).
The groom arrives on horseback at the wedding hall, where he and and his family are received by the bride’s family. The bride and groom exchange garlands as a sign of their acceptance of each other as life partners. In some communities the bride’s sisters try to block the groom from placing the garland, crying that they won’t let him take their sister away from them. In other communities, relatives of the groom defend him with a shield and the bride is challenged to reach him with the garland.The family prepares their home with fresh flowers, garlands, and lights in the week before a wedding. Guests are welcomed warmly, greeted with gifts and invited to share tea and snacks. The wedding week is an amazing event, with the immediate family coordinating social events and sacred rituals that include the wide community of family and friends. Everyone enjoys a celebration filled with food, music, dancing, and elaborate rituals.
Burnt Offerings 