Milni - The bride's family receives The groom and his family.

Var Puja - The Bride's Father welcomes the groom washhing his feets and putting a ring on his right hand (ring fingure) and takes the groom inside holding that fingure.

( Move inside )

Sehra - A member of the Groom's family recites a verse, introducing the groom's family.

Ganesh Puja - The marriage ceremony begins with an invocation of Lord Ganesha for success in all phases of life followed by Navgraha pujan, a calling of all nine planets for peace and prosperity.

Arrival of the Bride - The bride is brought to the stage accompanied by her Mamaji (Mother's brother) and Sisters.

Kanya Dan - The bride's Father gives her away by placing her hand in that of The groom . The groom holds The bride's hand in a gesture of everlasting love.

Gath Bandhan & Phere - The bride and The groom are joined together by tying a corner of their outer garments, symbolizing the bond of marriage. The couple walks around the sacred fire seven times, making it a witness of their union as husband and wife. Here, the Bride's sister will read a passage from the Geeta (Holy Scriptures).

Sapta Padi - The bride and The groom take seven symbolic steps together in a promise of lifetime friendship and fidelity. Each step asks for the Lord's blessings in the following:

May the Lord lead us to sustenance
May the Lord lead us to strength
May the Lord lead us to prosperity
May the Lord lead us to the source of all bliss
May the Lord lead us to good progeny
May the Lord lead us to enjoy all the seasons and longevity
May the Lord lead us to union, devotion, and companionship.
Sindoor Daan- The Groom puts Sindoor (red powder) in the parting of the Bride's hair to welcome her into his life as his eternal partner.

Jai Mala - The bride and The groom garland each other to signify mutual acceptance.

Samdi bheth- The father of the Bride and the Groom hugs eachother and greet eachother.

Aashirvad - Family and Friends bless the couple by showering them with flowers.

Bidai-The Bride goes away with the Groom filling everyone eyes with tears. The Bride and the Groom takes the blessings of the parents and then went away to the groom's house.

"This heart of thine, let it be mine And this heart of mine, let it be thine"

~~~Meaning of the seven pheras~~~

Hindu marriage ceremonies involve elaborate rituals, one of the most important being the "saat phere" or the seven steps to marriage. This ritual involves the bride and groom circumambulating around the sacred fire seven times while the priest chants the holy mantras. With every step, the couple invokes the Gods to shower their blessings on them.

The significance of each sacred "phera" is as follows:

First Step:
The couple invokes the gods for plenty of pure and nourishing food. "With God as our guide, let us take the first step to live with honour and respect. Let us walk together so we get food," the couple prays.

Second Step:
With the second step, the couple prays to the Gods to give them the mental, physical and spiritual strength to lead a healthy life. "Let us be happy and enjoy life. Let us walk together so we grow together in strength," they pray.

Third Step:
The third step is for preserving wealth and prosperity in life. The chant at this stage means, "let us share joys and pains together. Let us walk together so we get wealth."

Fourth Step:
With the fourth step, the bride and groom invoke the gods for attainment of happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust in all walks of life. "Let us not forget parents and elders. Let us walk together so we get happiness by sharing our joys and sorrows," they say.

Fifth Step:
They pray for the welfare of all living beings in the Universe and pray for virtuous, noble and heroic children." Let us observe all acts of charity. Let us walk together so we have family," the mantras say.

Sixth Step:
They ask the gods to give them a long, joyous life and togetherness forever. "Let us live a long and peaceful life. Let us walk together so we have joy," the couple prays.

Seventh Step:
With the seventh, and last, step, the couple prays for understanding, companionship, loyalty and unity. "Let us be friends with love and sacrifice. Let us walk together so we have friendship," the holy chants signify.

After the seventh step has been taken, the groom says to the bride: "With seven steps we have become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be severed from me." With completion of the saptapadi, the two are pronounced husband and wife.

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