Indian Wedding - The ceremony 2

This post is a continuation of my previous post (Indian wedding - The ceremony 1).

The ceremony was conducted in Sanskrit, an ancient language from the Indo-Aryan language group and the language from which most of the Indian languages were derived.

Megan reentering the mandap after a change of attire while everyone is admiring her poise. She carries a coconut to signify fertility.

Sree, looking at his blushing bride

Mangalya Sutram(necklace ritual):
Just as women in the Western world wear wedding rings, married women in India wear a wedding necklace(Mangala Sutra). The necklace represents the couple's togetherness, love and their sacred union.
In the view of the sacred fire, Sree ties the sacred necklace around Megan's neck. This signifies their unbreakable union of life.

 Sree first blesses Megan by putting vermillion powder on her forehead...

...and with turmeric tinted rice on her head

Ritual prayer

Exchanging rings...

...and garlands

Homam(Holy fire):

The priest sets up a small fire in a sacred bowl and invokes the presence of God, who is manifested in the divine fire.The sacred fire represents a divine witness that sanctifies the ceremony.

Sree and Megan pray for their future prosperity by offering ghee to the sacred fire.

 Saptapadi(seven steps ritual):

Sree and Megan take seven steps together around the holy fire toward a long and happy union with each other representing a different blessing of marriage

The first step: for togetherness, respect and honor
The second step: to develop physical and emotional health
The third step: to increase spiritual health
The fourth step: to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony
The fifth step: to be blessed with happy family
The sixth step: to be rewarded with a healthy family
The seventh step: for mutual love, friendship, and companionship

As they are taking their seven steps, they take the following vows:

By walking these seven steps together, we have become friends forever and I am blessed with your friendship. We shall always be together. We shall love and live together.

Thalambralu: 
This is an another very traditional Andhra Pradesh wedding ritual. The bride and groom shower flowers  and turmeric tinted rice on each other's heads.This is meant to be a fun ritual, a cause for great merriment and laughter. With rice being staple food, it is poured in abundance over each other's heads by the couple in a joyful manner, conveying health and abundance in their years together.

The guests watching

The couple are blessed with Aarti (traditional blessing with lamp) by family members.

 

 The couple seeks blessings from the family and friends. Flower petals and rice are then given to family and friends to shower upon them. With the blessings, the wedding ceremony has now concluded.

The couple left the mandap as Mr. & Mrs. Chaguturu. Congratulations to the bride and groom!

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.
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