HINDU WEDDING IN SANTORINI: STEP-BY-STEP THROUGH SACRED RITUALS

A Hindu wedding in Santorini, just as any Hindu wedding, is a blend of tradition, love, and timeless rituals. In this sacred ceremony, each ritual carries deep symbolism. Two souls join as they begin their life together. In only one wonderful day, DW EVENTS makes certain that every part of your wedding matches your culture and dreams. There are quite a few moments that shape this beautiful celebration. And with each one, the wedding unfolds like a beautiful fairytale.

The Baraat & Samaiyu: A Joyful Procession

The wedding ceremony starts with the groom’s magnificent entry, known as the Baraat. When he arrives surrounded by music and dance, his family and friends joyfully accompany him. This celebration is about the groom’s arrival yet symbolizes that he is ready to begin a new life. Upon reaching the venue, the bride’s family warmly greets him in a ritual called Samaiyu, which signifies the joining of two families in harmony.

Pokwanu: The Welcoming of the Groom

As the groom and his family approach, the bride’s mother welcomes them and conducts the Pokwanu ritual. Here, she places a tilak (a sacred mark) on the groom’s forehead, inviting him into the wedding mandap—the sacred space where the marriage rites will be performed. This moment brims with warmth and acceptance, as it showcases the bride’s family welcoming the groom with open arms.

Ganesh Puja: Invoking Divine Blessings

The ceremony officially begins with the Ganesh Puja, a prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. In Hindu tradition, it is customary to worship Lord Ganesh at the start of any significant event to ensure a smooth and auspicious beginning. Thus, the couple and their family ask for blessings for a harmonious and prosperous marriage.

Var Puja: Honoring the Groom

Following the Ganesh Puja, the bride’s parents honor the groom in a ritual known as Var Puja. During the ceremony, they cleanse his feet with honey and milk as a sign of respect and recognition for his role as their daughter’s future life partner. This ritual represents the parents’ acceptance of the groom into their family and expresses their hopes for a nurturing and loving relationship between the couple.

Kanya Aagman: The Bride’s Grand Entrance

The air is filled with anticipation as the bride makes her entrance, known as Kanya Aagman. Her brothers join her, holding a canopy of flowers above her head to symbolize protection and love. As she enters the mandap, an antarpat (a cloth) is placed between the bride and groom, signifying their individuality before they are united in marriage.

Jai Mala: The Exchange of Garlands

In an emotional and symbolic exchange, the bride and groom exchange flower garlands in a tradition called Jai Mala. The gesture of placing garlands around each other’s necks symbolizes their acceptance and respect for one another, as they promise to be at each other’s sides for the rest of their lives.

Kanyadan & Hasta Melap: The Gift of a Daughter

A key moment in a Hindu wedding in Santorini is the Kanyadan ceremony, where the bride’s parents hand over their daughter to the groom, entrusting him with her happiness. The groom takes the bride’s right hand in his right hand, and their hands are tied together with a sacred cloth in a ritual called Hasta Melap. This act represents the joining of two souls and the start of their journey together.

Jai Mala: The Exchange of Garlands

Agni Puja: The Sacred Fire

As the couple sits before the sacred fire, they perform the Agni Puja, invoking Lord Agni (the fire deity) to witness their vows. In Hinduism, the sacred fire is fed with offerings, and the couple promises to be faithful and devoted to one another. The fire is considered a divine testimony to their union, highlighting the sanctity of marriage and the creation of an eternal bond.

Gath Bandhan & Mangal Phera: Circling the Sacred Fire

In a deeply symbolic act, the groom’s scarf is tied to the bride’s veil. This ritual is known as Gath Bandhan—signifying the binding of their lives together. Hand in hand, the couple then circles the sacred fire, taking their first steps as husband and wife. During Mangal Phera, the couple walks around the fire four times, with each round representing one of the four goals of life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desire), and Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Saptapadi: The Seven Sacred Steps

Following the Mangal Phera, the couple does the Saptapadi, or seven steps, each of which includes a commitment to safeguard the ideals that will guide their marriage. These vows include promises to love, support, and cherish one another, to be faithful, and to communicate openly throughout their lives. The Saptapadi is a meaningful moment of commitment that strengthens the couple’s union via mutual respect and understanding.

Mangalsutra & Sindoor Dharan: Symbols of Marriage

During the wedding ceremony, the groom places a Mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around the bride’s neck and applies Sindoor (red vermillion powder) to her hair parting. These actions symbolize marriage by demonstrating the groom’s love, dedication, and the bride’s new position as a married lady.

Kansar & Aashirvaad: Sweetness and Blessings

Following the couple has their first meal together in accordance with the Kansar tradition, during which they feed each other sweets to represent the sweetness they will each bring into the other’s life. After that, the priest and their elders bestow Aashirvaad, or blessings, on the newlyweds as they start their married life.

Viddai: The Bride’s Farewell

As the wedding draws to a close, the Viddai ceremony marks the bride’s emotional farewell to her family. Amidst tears of joy and bittersweet goodbyes, she tosses rice over her shoulder—a gesture wishing for her childhood home to remain happy and prosperous. This moving scene represents the bride’s move from her parents’ house to her new life with her spouse.

TIMELINE OF HINDU WEDDING RITUALS

The wedding ceremonies unfold smoothly, blending tradition with joyful celebration. After the emotional Viddai ceremony, guests pause for a light meal, offering a moment to relax before the next events.

Once lunch concludes, guests may leave for a brief rest before returning in the evening for the reception. At sunset, the couple makes their entrance, and the festivities resume in a welcoming atmosphere. The reception often includes heartfelt speeches, cake cutting, and the couple’s first dance, followed by a lively party lasting into the night.

This timeline can happen in a single day or stretch over several, based on the couple’s preferences. Every wedding is unique, allowing flexibility in the flow of events, ensuring the day aligns with the couple’s vision.

Celebrate a Traditional Hindu Wedding in Santorini

Hindu weddings are unions of families, customs, and age-old rituals rather than just the celebration of two people becoming one. Every ritual is a step toward a common future. And every moment is full of significance. Allow the enchantment of these customs to direct you while you prepare your wedding, making memories

Let DW EVENTS Create Your Hindu Wedding in Santorini

DW EVENTS brings unmatched expertise and dedication to making your Hindu wedding in Santorini a blend of cultural richness and personalized elegance. With a deep understanding of Indian traditions and a passion for creating unforgettable moments, DW EVENTS ensures that every ritual is executed with precision and grace. We design a celebration that honors your heritage and exceeds your expectations.

DW Destination Weddings & Events is a creative event planning company based in Santorini, Greece, specialized in luxury events. We focus to plan the wedding that reflects your desires and exceed the expectations!