Hinduism terms

Arranged match maker for weddings

nayan

Astrological chart consulted

Jathakam

Auspicious date and time selected

muhurta

The bride’s family formally meet the groom’s family

mini/milai

Remover of obstacles

Ganesha

Engagement ring ceremony

Misri

’Stain’ applied to bride’s feet/hands before wedding

Mehndi

Pre-wedding ceremony (hen’s night)

sangeet

Specially decorated altar

Mandap

Groom arrives, welcomed, clay pot broken

Swagatam

Exchanging of garlands

Varmala

First look between the couple

Nireekshana

Father giving away the bride

Kanya dan

Mark of auspiciousness/eye of Shiva

Tilak

Tying of wedding knot

Ganthibandhan

Fire as a mouth of Vishnu

agni

Auspicious necklace of bride

mangalsutra

Prayer by throwing rice into fire

Lajahoma

Bride places foot on stone and vows to be as strong as the rock

Shilarohana

Seven steps around the fire

Saptapadi

Couple is united by tying scarves

Haste melap

Mark of married woman in the part of her hair

sindoor

Eating four times the nourishment of bones/skin/muscle/soul

Cathurti karma