After the seventh step the groom says
"With seven steps we become friends. Let me reach your
friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let
your friendship not be severed from me." The Saptapadi
ceremony concludes with a prayer that the union is
indissoluble.
HRIDAYA SPARSHA (TOUCHING OF THE HEARTS)
Next the husband touches the heart of the bride reaching
over her right shoulder, with the words: "Into my heart
will I take thy heart: thy mind shall dwell In my mind: in
my world thou shall rejoice with all thy heart; May the Lord
join thee to me." The heart is the centre of feelings.
By touching it the husband symbolically tries to rouse them
to make them flow out to meet his own heart and thus unite
them in the world of love
SAUBHAGYA CHINNA (MARKS OF
AUSPICIOUSNESS)
The above pledges having been made, the groom puts a red
mark on her forehead and places the sindoor powder in the
parting of her hair. This is the traditional mark of the
Hindu married woman whose husband is alive. The groom
requests that she keeps this mark on her head signifying her
marriage to him.
The brilliant red vermilion powder represents the life
giving blood that flows in us all. By anointing the bride
with the vermilion, the groom is promising to cherish her
and protect her as if she were his own life. He also
promises to protect her with his own life, At this time, he
also offers her an auspicious necklace - Mangalsutra - to
signify their marriage. The Mangal Sutra represents the
couple's togetherness, love and sacred union.
PURNA AAHUTI (LAST OFFERING)
After these rituals are completed, the couple sit down and
make an offering to the fire together, this symbolizes their
first act of worship as a married couple and the official
end of the ceremony.
AASHIRWAAD (BLESSINGS)
The priest prays for blessings from the supreme Lord for
the well being of the newly weds and of those assembled.
Then friends and relatives sprinkle rice and flowers on the
couple. The couple touch the feet of their parents and the
elders in both the families thereby demonstrating their
respect for them and at the same time obtaining their
blessings.
SHAANTI PAATH (PRAYER FOR PEACE)
The prayer is recited at the end of all Vedic ceremonies.
It is a prayer that perfects peace and tranquillity may
reign throughout the universe.
CLICK HERE
TO VIEW LISTINGS OF HINDU PRIESTS WITHIN OUR ASIAN
WEDDING DIRECTORY 
