What do the 7 steps in a Hindu wedding represent?

After the Bride and Groom have made the seven rounds, they seek blessing from Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and Lakhsmi, the goddess of wealth. In South Indian tradition it is customary that the couple take seven steps due south, with the Groom leading his Bride by her pinky finger around the fire.

What is saptapadi in a Hindu marriage?

Saptapadi (literally translating to seven steps in Sanskrit) refers to the seven promises of marriage that a bride and groom take with each step. Just like the vows that are said in a Christian ceremony, this is one of the most important rituals in a Hindu wedding.

What are the seven steps of saptapadi?

Each phera has a different vow, which is read out by the priest before the couple becomes husband and wife.

• FIRST PHERA – PRAYER FOR FOOD AND NOURISHMENTS.
• SECOND PHERA – STRENGTH.
• THIRD PHERA – PROSPERITY.
• FOURTH PHERA – FAMILY.
• FIFTH PHERA – PROGENY.
• SIXTH PHERA – HEALTH.
• SEVENTH PHERA –

How many rounds are there in Hindu marriage?

seven rounds
The Saptapadi (Sanskrit “seven steps”/”seven feet”; sometimes called Saat Phere: “seven rounds”) is the most important ritual of Vedic Hindu weddings, and represents the legal element of the Hindu marriage ceremony.

What does 7 Pheras mean?

The 7 Pheras or the Saptapadi is the true essence of a Vedic wedding. Only when the bride and the groom take the 7 vows keeping the holy pyre as the witness, they are called as married. The bride and the groom hold their hands and take seven rounds around the Agni and promise to be with each other for eternity.

Why do bride and groom take 7 rounds?

Why does marriage have 7 rounds?

The Saat Phere (Seven circles) around the sacred fire (yagya) of Hindu Wedding Rituals as Explained by Mathematics… Each circle consists of 360°. The only number from 1 to 9 which cannot divide 360 is 7. So the Bride and Groom go round the Fire 7 Times Ensuring that Nothing Can Divide Their Relationship…

What is the importance of saptapadi?

Saptapadi, or the taking of seven steps by the bride and the bridegroom before the sacred fire, is considered to be the rite of prime importance in solemnizing a marriage. “My beloved, our love becomes firm by your walking one step with me. You will offer my food and be helpful in every way.

What is the significance of 7 Pheras?

Why do bride and groom go around 7 times?

Hindu wedding rituals: During Saath Phere, the bride and the groom, circumambulate (walk around) the sacred fire seven times as they exchange their marital vows. Like the Jaimala or Varmala ritual. This is because the bride and the groom exchange marital vows and collectively pray for a blissful married life.

What is the Saptapadi ceremony?

This portion of the ceremony takes places following the tying of the Mangalsutra (hyperlink) and establishes the commitment the couple makes to each other during the Hindu wedding ceremony. Saptapadi quite literally translates from Sanskrit to ‘seven steps’.

What happens during a Hindu wedding ceremony?

While the couple makes their rounds, family members that are present on the Mandap bless the couple with rose petals and rice, celebrating a pivotal part of the ceremony. After the Bride and Groom have made the seven rounds, they seek blessing from Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and Lakhsmi, the goddess of wealth.

How many pheras are there in a Hindu wedding ceremony?

The ritual of 7 pheras is performed under the guidance of a priest, also called pandit in Hindi language. The priest (pandit) utters aloud the religious sayings (mantras), while the Hindu bride and the Hindu groom sit around the holy fire.

What is Ritis (rituals) in Hindu Marriage?

Some Ritis (rituals) sound straight out of a romantic movie, but they indeed are as romantic as a Hindu wedding can get. Popularly known as ‘ Saat Phere’ or Saptapadi, meaning seven steps, this ritual between the bride and the groom is what officiates the wedding ceremony as per Hindu marriage traditions.