After the bride dresses up in her wedding ensemble, her sisters or female relatives escort the groom to the bride’s house. At the entrance, the groom places his right foot on the top of the bride’s foot, signifying that he should be the dominating strength in their life together. After the groom enters the house, the bride’s parents rinse his feet with milk and water. It is believed that due to all the prayers that have preceded this moment, the groom is an embodiment of Lord Vishnu on this wedding day.

The bride's parents perform rituals of the giving away of their daughter. This includes washing the couple's feet with milk and water to purify them for a new life. By spreading turmeric on your hands, you acknowledge your change in status from a single woman and daughter to a wife. Your father then places your dyed hand in your groom's where he holds it as a symbol of your everlasting love. 

By pouring out some of the sacred water, your father "washes his hands" of you and gives you away at which point your groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the God of Love, asking for the blessing of pure love. To prove that he is worthy, your groom must promise your father three times to help you realize dharma (enlightenment), artha (wealth) and kama (true love). These three promises are regarded as great achievements in the Hindu world.

Hathialo (Joining of the Hands) Hastamelap

In this ceremony -which literally means joining of hands -the bride's right hand is placed on that of the groom whilst the priest chants holy verses. At this point a loop of white raw cotton, wound round 24 times symbolizing different characteristics and virtues of human life, is put round the shoulders of the bride and groom.

This means that these threads of white cotton bind the two together from now onwards as partners to fulfill their respective roles fully and sincerely. Although a single thread of raw cotton is easily broken, many of them form a very strong bond and so will abilities and virtues bind them together more securely in a stronger bond. The tying of the hands signifies an eternal bond that will join them forever.

To symbolize your union, the priest ties your garments (your veil to your groom's shawl) while you stand facing each other (Gath Bandham) before you exchange garlands and rings.

The marriage vows

After this a small open fire is lit in the center and the fire God is invited to witness the marriage. Fire, a purifying agent, is also a source of energy. Only fire can separate this bond of unity between bride and groom. The bride and the groom are joined by a piece of white cloth, one end of which is tied to the bride's sari and the other thrown over the groom's shoulder.

The priest in the presence of family and friends performs the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom are seated in front of a holy fire and the priest recites various religious sayings from the Holy Scriptures. According to the Hindu religion, fire is considered the sustainer of life. It is believed that the Gods and Goddesses sit around this auspicious fire. The priest directs various family members to give offerings into the holy fire.

The bride's brother/cousin fills the palms of the couple with grains of rice, oats and leaves, which signify the four blessings: wealth, good health, prosperity and happiness. These they offer to the fire signifying that "all these worldly possessions we sacrifice to you because there isn't anything greater and more rewarding than your blessings upon us".

They walk around the fire four times paying homage to all saints and prophets and to God Almighty who dwells in all four directions. The circumambulation also signifies the four stages of life, namely childhood, youth, middle age and old age.

During the first three rounds his bride follows the groom. This signifies "I shall follow you wherever you go-in happiness or hard times". In the final round the bride goes in front and the groom follows, which signifies that during old age when the time for departing comes, the bride wishes to die first and not be left as widow.

The wedding ceremony is now over and they are declared man and wife.

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