The Ceremonies

Two ceremonies — Punjabi Jain, then Tamil Hindu. One marriage. Both families making room for each other's traditions. Each ritual explained by the priest who performed it.

The Punjabi Jain Ceremony

Day 2 · 10:15 AM · Indoor mandap

Sankalpa & Agni Pradakshina

~10:15 AM

The sacred vow before the fire ceremony begins. The priest asks everyone to close their eyes and listen as he chants.

"All of you kindly try to repeat after me the Sankalpa before the Agni Pradakshina. Request all of you — just one minute, sixty seconds — close your eyes, listen the chanting."

Jai Mala — Garland Exchange

~10:25 AM

Bride and groom exchange garlands during mantra chanting. The first ritual where they face each other as bride and groom.

Dupatta Blessing

~10:40 AM

Groom's aunt and uncle place a family heirloom dupatta over the couple as a sign of blessings and protection.

"An elder couple plays a dupatta, the scarf over the bride and groom, as a sign of blessings and protection."

Ashirvad — Blessings

~10:45 AM

Families offer blessings as Shehnai plays in background. The first ceremony concludes.

"The ceremony concludes with blessings from close family and elders, sending the couple into their new life together with love, music, and joy."

The Tamil Hindu Ceremony

Day 2 · 11:30 AM · Outdoor — cold, windy, everyone in shawls

Kasi Yatra — The Priest's Comedy

~11:30 AM

Kanav symbolically sets out for worldly life. Aditi's father must persuade him to stay. The priest offers first-class Emirates tickets. Kanav negotiates.

"He is going to Kashi right now. Can we postpone the wedding? The father has to convince him. What about first class air ticket? If it's on Emirates, I'll do it."

Sita Kalyanam — Bride's Entry

~11:40 AM

Aditi enters with her maternal uncle to Sita Kalyanam — the sacred Carnatic song invoking the wedding of Sita and Lord Rama.

Oonjal — The Swing Ceremony

~11:45 AM

The couple sits on the decorated swing. Aunts perform aarthi while family sings. The swing represents life's ups and downs — and the family's role in supporting the couple through them.

Kanyadanam — Giving Away the Bride

~11:50 AM

Bride sits on her father's lap as he gives her away. Getti Melam plays. One of the most sacred moments.

"By doing one Kanyadanam in our lifetime, 21 generations for both sides — all the ancestors, invisible, they are here to bless the bride and groom."

Thali — The Mangalsutra

~11:55 AM

Groom ties the Thali around the bride's neck with Pari's help — signifying their eternal bond.

Laja Homa, Panigrahanam & Saptapadi

~12:05 PM

The couple offers puffed rice into the sacred fire, praying for prosperity and harmony. Seven steps — seven vows. The groom takes the bride's hand.

"The couple offers puffed rice into the sacred fire, praying for prosperity, harmony, and a life filled with abundance. The groom takes the bride's hand, symbolizing his vows to cherish, protect, and stand by her."

Final Ashirvadam & Pronouncement

~12:10 PM

Final blessings from both families. The couple is pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Kanav and Aditi Jain.