19th

Kasi Yatra    

8:00 - 8:30

Tradition has it, that after completing his studies at a Brahmacharya ashram, the groom is faced with two options – either to pursue a married life of a Grihasta or to take Sanyas (asceticism). Under this ritual, the groom begins his journey to Kashi as an ascetic with his humble belongings (slippers, bamboo, fan, umbrella, etc.). The groom is interrupted by the bride's father, who convinces him of the merits of a married life and promises him the companionship of his daughter. In an interesting twist, the bride also decides to go to Kanyakumari and returns only after being convinced by the groom’s father.

     Oonjal

8:30 - 9:30

Oonjal is a swing on which the marrying couple, Shruti and Onkar, will be seated. They will be surrounded by ladies who sing songs. Most of the songs (Lalis) are of the puranic marriages of either Vishnu or Shiva while the swing is gently rocked back and forth. This motion is a message to the couple that they must stay strong and together during both the ups and the downs of life. The ceremony involves friends and family members taking turns throwing rice balls in circular motions in four different directions to ward off evil from the bride and the groom. After this the relatives give a mixture of sugar, milk and banana to the bride and groom.

Gaurihar Puja

10:30 - 10:40

The bride starts her preparations for her new family using new idols provided to her by the bride's mother – baby krishna and goddess Annapurna (so that their plates are always full). As part of the ceremony, Shruti will perform a Gaurihar puja in her room. She will be dressed in yellow and a mundavalya (a string of pearls or flowers) will tied across her forehead. Rice is placed on the idol's head as mantras are recited – the bride is asking for blessings so that her family is blessed with food and prosperity.

Mangal Ashtaka

10:40 - 11:00

In this Maharashtrian wedding ritual, a silk shawl is hung between the bride and groom while a priest chants mantras. The groom first enters the Mandap and stands at the designated wedding spot. The Antarpat or a curtain is hung in front of the groom restricting his vision of the bride who'd be standing opposite to him. The bride then enters the Mandap and the priest chants the 'mangalashtaka' (wedding verses), a narrative especially written for this wedding, explaining the process of the wedding, introducing the bride and groom and also containing advice for the couple on how to live a happy married life. Each of these recitations ends with a 'shubha mangala savdhan', which alerts everyone that the 'shubh mahurat' (auspicious time for the wedding) is approaching. On an auspicious moment, the Antarpat is removed and the couple exchange jaimala (garlands). That's when everyone showers blessings on them with Akshata or whole rice.

Kanya Dhaanam

11:10 - 11:20

The bride sits on her father's lap holding a coconut, and together they offer it to the groom while the bride's mother pours water over it, symbolising the giving away of their daughter. The groom's parents gift the bride a nine-yard sari (Koorai), which she wears for the occasion of tying the mangalsutra. This is followed by the groom assuring the bride's father of his companionship.

  Maangalya Dharanam

11:45 - 11:55

Mangalya means that which gives good things and Dharanam means “wearing”. The Mangalya from the bride's father is a piece of gold which is inscribed with a Shiva Linga embossed on a Thulasi madam. The Mangalya from the groom's father has two gold and black beads strung together in a double line and joined by the central vati pendant in the form of two cups. The Mangalyas are circulated among the audience for their blessing and good wishes. The groom then ties the Mangalya, arranged on a yellow string, around the neck of the bride. Only the first knot is put by him and two more knots are put by his sister. The Mangalya Dharanam signifies the marriage of the bride and the groom. A toe ring is then placed on the toe of the bride by the sister of the groom. After the mangalya Dharanam is over, the elders shower flowers and yellow coloured rice on the groom and bride.

Paani Grahan

12:00 - 12:15

This literally means “holding of hands. The bride folds fingers her of her right hand fingers into a conical form upwards and the groom holds it in his hand folded downwards by surrounding all her fingers. The bride and groom face each other and he places his palm on hers while he invokes the gods and the forces of nature saying: "Blessed bride, I accept your hand - may we prosper and grow old together". This is the first important Vedic ritual they do as husband and wife.

   Laaja Homam & Kanpili

12:15 - 12:25

Laja means parched corn and homa means offereing to the sacred fire. First the groom washes both the hands of the bride with clean water and asks her to make an Anjali. He then puts a little ghee (Clarified butter) with a wooden spoon (used in rituals) into the cupped palms and smears it onto her palms. Then the bride's brother twice puts fistful of parched corn from a winnow into the bride's cupped palms. By this act, the brother gives his consent to the marriage. The groom guides the bride's hands and the puffed rice to be consigned to the sacred fire, while the priests invoke the Gods by chanting Vedic hymns. This signifies the bridegroom asking the bride to merge completely with her new family. The bride's brother also warns the groom to look after his sister well by playfully pulling the groom's ear.

Saptapadi 

12:25 - 12:35

In the Saptapadi ritual, seven tiny heaps of rice and betel nut are made, the groom leads the bride to each pile and she places her right toe on each pile of rice then the bride moves the betel nut with her right big toe as the groom repeats the seven wedding vows.

 Sunmukh

12:35 - 12:45

In this ritual, the bride sits on the lap of the groom's mother. The mother-in-law sees the face of the bride in a mirror, while the father in law feeds her a spoonful of sugar. This symbolizes that the mother-in-law and father in law will treat her like their own daughter.

Ashirwad

12:45 - 13:00

All elders at the wedding shower their blessings on young couple with rice grains. The couple touches the feet of all the family members who are older than them and accepts blessings from them. This is the time when guest congratulate the couple and take a picture with the young couple.