Welcome and thank you for joining us to celebrate the marriage of
Devni & Rishin
Devni & RishiN’S VEDIC WEDDING CEREMONY 1. Jaan Prasthan - The Groom’s Wedding Procession Rishin and his jaan (the groom’s family and friends) make their way to the mandap (a temple porch) accompanied by a beating dhol (drum) and their best dance moves.
2. Ganesh Puja – Opening Prayer Lord Ganesh is the remover of all obstacles thus no ceremony can begin without involving his blessings.
3. Milan & Pokhwanu – The Groom’s Arrival Devni’s family welcome Rishin who symbolises Lord Vishnu for the day. Rishin will crush a clay pot to display his ability to tackle any challenges that come his way in married life. Devni’s family then escort Rishin to the mandap.
Tradition has it that Devni’s family will try to steal Rishin’s shoes at this point. Rishin will only get them back if he pays up! 4. Var Pooja - Welcoming The Groom Rishin is joined by his brother Vivek inside the mandap. Devni’s parents, Chetan and Jyoti, welcome Rishin with water and wash his feet.
Here comes the bride!
5. Kanya Aagman - The Bride’s Arrival An antarpat (cloth) is raised in front of Rishin by his sisters, Annika and Sophia, to prevent him from seeing Devni and to symbolise that they come to the mandap as separate individuals. Devni, who symbolises the Goddess Lakshmi today, makes her entrance with her Mamas (her mother’s brothers). Devni is joined by her sister, Shami, in the mandap.
6. Jaimala - Exchange Of Garlands The antarpat is lowered and Devni and Rishin exchange jaimala (flower garlands) to represent their union and acceptance of one another.
7. Archman & Shanti Panchakam - Preparation For The Ceremony Devni and Rishin drink water to purify themselves. Five mantras are said by the Pandit (priest) to remove negative energies and spiritually prepare everyone in advance of the ceremony.
8. Kalash Puja - Inviting Blessings From God Devni’s parents and the Pandit invite God to watch over the ceremony and bring auspicious blessings to the proceedings.
9. Sankalpa - Making A Solemn Vow Sankalpa means a heartfelt promise or a solemn vow in Sankskrit. Devni’s parents, Devni and Rishin all pledge to fulfill the rituals of the ceremony graciously and under the instructions of the Pandit.
10. Kanyadaan – Giving The Bride Away Chetan gives his consent to the marriage as the hands of Devni and Rishin are tied with a garland representing the bond they share. Holy water from the River Ganges is poured through their hands while Devni and Rishin are advised to remember God and look upon each other with love, respect and compassion. In the Sanskrit version of throwing the bouquet, unmarried girls from both families come to the mandap to catch the garland used for Kanyadaan. You’re up Eshani, Priyanka, Sonika, Annika, Sophia, Shivani, Ishani, Hannah, Yaagni, Selina, Maya, Anushka, Arshiya, Aliysha and Radha!
11. Granthi Bandhan & Varmala - Tying Of the Knot The couple are joined together by a sacred knot tied by their sisters, Simran and Reena, symbolising the joining of two individuals and two families. Devni’s parents Chetan and Jyoti, and Rishin’s parents, Rohit and Rajal, place the varmala (a gold threaded string) over the couple indicating nothing will break their union.
12. Sindhoor & Mangalsutra – Symbols Of Marriage Rishin applies sindhoor (red vermillion powder) to Devni’s hair parting to show that Devni is to be married and places a mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around her neck as a symbol of his love. According to the Vedas, a woman can only sit to do a havan (sacred fire ceremony) with her father or husband.
13. Havan & Mangalpheras - Circling Of The Holy Fire The Pandit ignites a havan, which dispels darkness and leads Devni and Rishin to the everlasting light of marriage. Devni’s brothers – Vishal & Akshay, Hershil, Jay and Aatish – will place offerings for the havan into the couple’s hands.
Devni and Rishin circle the havan four times representing Dharma (virtue), Artha (wealth), Karma (family), Moksha (enlightenment). They stop to touch a stone on each round which symbolises obstacles they will overcome together. In a playful moment whoever sits down first following the fourth round of circling the fire will be dominant in the marriage.
14. Prayascitta Homa & Purnahuti - Final Offerings Rishin and Devni ask for forgiveness if any of the rituals have not been done with purity before placing their final offerings into the havan. 15. Saptapadi – The Seven Steps
The couple take seven steps together that represent the beginning of their journey. With each step they make a vow to each other to:
1. Pursue physical vitality 2. Pursue strong mental energy 3. Pursue prosperity and share worldly goods 4. Fill their hearts with great joy, peace, trust and spiritual values
5. Raise healthy and virtuous children 6. Live in harmony with nature 7. Remain lifetime companions and friends
Once the couple have made their seven steps, Devni and Rishin return to their seats as a married couple. They swap seats because now as a married couple, what’s Devni’s is Rishin’s and what’s Rishin’s is Devni’s.
17. Kansar Bhakshan – Feeding Sweets The couple break their fast by feeding each other mithai (sweets) wishing each other a sweet life together. Jyoti brings the couple more mithai to eat. 18. Akhand Saubhagyavati – Advice From Married Women “Akhand Saubhagyavati Bhava” is whispered into Devni’s right ear by four married women from each of the families. It means “May you have a long and everlasting marriage” as an auspicious wish on their new marriage.
19. Ashirvaad - First Blessing As Husband And Wife The wedding ceremony concludes and they ask for blessings from all for a long and happy married life.
It’s time to enjoy some lunch in the Sir Joseph Banks Building but please join us again in the Nash Conservatory at 2.15pm for koda kadi (traditional ring game) and the Vidaai.
20. Vidaai - The Bride’s Farewell Devni throws a fistful of rice behind her shoulder wishing her childhood home happiness and security. Devni bids farewell to her family and the happy couple make their way to the car. Devni’s sisters will prevent her from leaving until Rishin or one of his best men pays up for his shoes!
Thanks to: Sundar Madhava Das - Pandit Your London Florist - Mandap and Decorations Ritzy Music - Stage Ashok Panchal & SunitMusic - Music Laguna - Catering Eshani Bhatt & Yaagni Patel - Ceremony Programme Design Finally a big thank you from Devni & Rishin and their families for joining them on their special day!