Indian weddings are unique and practised differently in every region of the country. Every Indian wedding is unique.
Punjabi weddings have musical Jaggo and Dholki ceremonies. Assamese weddings have super elegant Mekhela Chador draped by the bride, Kannada weddings have fun Kashi Yatra and Rajput weddings have the royal Mahira Dastoor tradition. There are distinctly diverse flavours at Indian weddings. This is because of the rich Indian cultures that have their own traditions. However, there are weddings that celebrate simplicity and a high spiritual quotient. Well, we are talking about Arya Samaj Marriages.
The Arya Samaj marriages are distinct compared to the other forms of weddings. The foundation of Arya Samaj marriage was laid by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. He believed that Hinduism was the ‘original’ religion and the conversions based on caste have caused a spread of other religions from Hinduism. And hence, he has demolished the caste system and dowry system for the Arya Samaj community.
In this blog, we will guide you on the rituals involved in an Arya Samaj wedding, including both pre- and post-wedding ceremonies. Here is a thorough description of an Arya Samaj wedding to help you understand the lovely and serene wedding traditions, as well as how to obtain an Arya Samaj marriage certificate.
Arya Samaj Mandir Marriage Process
Arya Samaj marriages do not include any pre-wedding functions. However, millennials have started to celebrate pre-wedding ceremonies that are celebrated in Hindu weddings such as Sangeet, Haldi, and Mehndi. This truly adds to the enjoyment and delight of an already delightful event. Aside from that, there are just a few rites and Arya Samaj Mandir process that are held before the Arya Samaj wedding. However, it is not compulsory to follow these rituals and couples can celebrate them as per their choice.
Pre-Wedding Rituals
Brahman Bhoj
In an Arya Samaj marriage, this ceremony occurs on the morning of the wedding and is a ceremonial occasion in which the Brahmins are devoured in both the bride’s and groom’s homes. This ritual is regarded particularly auspicious since it marks the start of the wedding celebrations.
Chuda and Nath
This is a regional practice that is most commonly observed among North Indian Arya Samaj wedding guests. The bride’s maternal uncle presents her with a set of twenty-one bangles (the wedding Chura) and a nose ring, also known as the bridal Nath. The number twenty-one is considered auspicious in the Hindu ritual.
Wedding Rituals
Arya Samaj weddings are conducted with a focus on ancient Vedic rituals and the worship of older deities like fire (Agni) and sun (Surya). These ceremonies are known for their simplicity and grace and usually take place at the Arya Samaj mandir and are conducted by a priest. Here are the key rituals in an Arya Samaj marriage:
Varmala & Swagat Vidhi: The ceremony begins with the exchange of garlands that symbolises the public acceptance of the couple’s new relationship. The Swagat Vidhi marks the bride’s family welcoming the groom in the life of the bride and her family.
Madhuparka: The bride offers a mixture of honey, curd, and cream to the groom which symbolises their love and devotion. They exchange this mixture as a gesture of affection.
Yagna & Kanyadaan: The holy fire is worshipped and Vedic hymns are recited. The father of the bride then performs the ritual of Kanyadaan which symbolises the transfer of responsibility to the groom.
Havan & Godan: Fire plays a significant role and serves as a witness to the marriage. The ceremony may include the offering of a cow or calf to the priests which symbolises charity and prosperity.
Pani Grahan Sanskar: The couple holds hands and promises to love and care for each other throughout their lives. They take a parikrama around the holy fire together.
Shilarohan: The bride’s mother places her foot on a stone which symbolises a solid relationship between the couple.
Lajahom: Puffed rice is offered into the fire to bring unity and prosperity to the couple.
Phere or Parikrama: The bride and groom take four rounds around the fire which symbolises their vows and promises to each other.
Kesh Mochan: The groom unties the bride’s hair which symbolises her freedom and independence within the marriage.
Saptapadi & Hriday Sparsh Mantra: The couple takes 7 steps together, followed by a circle around the fire. They then place their hands on each other’s hearts and pledge for love and loyalty.
Sindoor & Mangalsutra: The groom applies sindoor on the bride’s forehead and ties a Mangalsutra around her neck. This ritual officially declares them married.
Surya Darshan: The couple worships the sun together and seeks blessings for a long and prosperous life.
Ashirwaad: After the ceremony, the couple seeks blessings from elders and family members and receives greetings for a life of happiness and prosperity.
Dhruv Darshan: The couple views the pole star together which symbolises the constancy and loyalty of their bond.
Arya Samaj Marriage Fees
To be eligible for an Arya Samaj Wedding, both parties must be Hindu and adhere to all of the Arya Samaj Marriage specifications. Arya Samaj wedding prices are more affordable than traditional Hindu weddings. For example, for a couple from Delhi, the total Arya samaj marriage fee will be Rs. 5100/-, whereas for a couple in Jaipur, it will be Rs.10,000. To continue the Arya Samaj marriage formalities, you can either choose your own wedding venue or book a hall at Arya Samaj Mandir. For details regarding Arya samaj wedding, you can also contact Arya Samaj Mandir Pandit at +91-9998889673.
Book Your Arya Samaj Wedding Here
Both pre-wedding and post-wedding rituals are performed with love and joy by the couple and their families. Once they commence the wedding, they receive a marriage certificate from the Arya Samaj Temple which can be used for legal registration purposes. Later, the couple can register their marriage with the respective government authorities. The important thing to note is that the procedures and fees vary depending on the location and individual circumstances of the Arya Samaj wedding. It is advisable to consult with the Arya Samaj Mandir Pandit at +91-9998889673 for marriage bookings.