On Sunday June 14th 2009 we were at Laube Hall in Freeport PA. The event was a Hindu wedding ceremony & wedding reception for Kirk & Latha Dineley. Kirk and Latha currently reside in South Carolina where they are both Professors at Francis Marion University. However, Latha is originally from Tamil Nadu which is located at the Southern tip of India.

The wedding ceremony began at 10:45 am and was quite elaborate. It contained several rituals described here:

• Mandapa Pravesam – The groom arrives for the wedding ceremony. The bride’s parents greet the groom and his family and escort him to the altar.
• Ganesha Puja – The ceremony begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles. The priest invokes the presence of the gods to consecrate the ceremonial site and to bless the occasion.
• Jayamala – The bride enters the wedding altar. She and the groom exchange garlands three times, symbolizing the unification.
• Kanyadhanam – (Giving the bride in marriage) The father of the bride places the bride’s right hand in the groom’s right hand, asking him to promise to love and take care of his daughter. The groom affirms his acceptance. This is solemnized by the priest pouring holy water on their hands. The bride and groom share fruits, milk and sweets.
• Vivaha Homam – (Invoking the witness, Agni) Agni, the fire god, the sacred purifier and the source of life, is kindled and nurtured with butter. Agni is the eternal witness to the union of the couple.
• Mangalya Dharanam – The mangalsutra, the wedding necklace, is placed on a ceremonial tray and taken around to receive the blessing of guests. The groom then ties the mangalsutra around the bride’s neck. Three knots are tied to symbolize the strength of their union physical, mental and spiritual.
• Laaja Homam & Agni Pradakshanam – The bride’s brother gives her a handful of parched rice grains, which she hands to the groom, who then feeds it into the fire. Participation of the bride’s family solidifies the bond between both families. The couple circles the fire three times.
• Saptapadhi – (Seven ritual steps) The ends of the bride’s saree and the groom’s sherwani are tied in a knot. The bride and groom make the following vows while taking seven steps together:
  • To nourish each other.
  • For mental, physical and spiritual strength.
  • To remain faithful with love and respect.
  • To share both joys and sorrows.
  • To acquire harmony through mutual love and trust.
  • For longevity and health.
  • To remain true companions and life-long friends.
• Shilarohana & Ammi-Midhithal – At the end of each round of the fire, both the bride and groom step on a stone and offer a prayer for their mutual love to be firm and steadfast like the stone.
• Homage to Dhruva & Arundhati Nakshatra – (Witnessing the stars) The priest gestures to the sky to show the couple the morning star Arundhati and the pole star, Dhruva. Arundhati, the wife of Sage Vasishta, is exemplified as an ideal wife, the embodiment of chastity. Dhruva is the one who attained immortality through single minded devotion and perseverance – virtues to be emulated throughout married life.
• Aseervadam – Blessings are bestowed on the couple in the form of flower pedals showered on the couple by guests. The priest chants prayers calling the gods to bless the couple with a long and prosperous life together.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests moved to the main side of the ballroom where each of the ladies was given a gift bag, that was handed out by members of Latha’s family. Guests then enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres prior to lunch. Lunch was served buffet style and consisted of two different caterers. One had prepared traditional American Cuisine and the other contained pure Indian Vegetarian Cuisine. Guests were able to choose from both.

After Lunch, Kirk & Latha cut the wedding cake prior to sharing in their first dance as husband and wife. For this dance they chose “I Will” by The Beatles. From there, we opened up the dance floor and guests danced to a mixture of classic American tunes such as “Authority Song” by John Mellencamp and Bollywood songs such as “Jai Ho” and “Ringa Ringa” by A R Rahman.

This was a truly unique experience for everyone in attendance as the day incorporated many custom found in both Tamilian & American cultures. I am glad that we were able to be a part of their celebration.