Grah Shanti: A First Step to Happiness

People often say that matches are made in heaven, so it is no surprise that many weddings begin with an auspicious step to placate the heavenly bodies. The Grah Shanti is often one of the first rituals to take place in an Indian wedding. Learn more about the significance of the Grah Shanti as well some tips to keep in mind.

What is the Grah Shanti pooja?

Indian customs call for various religious rituals to take place for different occasions. The Grah Shanti pooja is performed before the wedding rituals take place to receive the blessings of the ‘Grah,’ also known as the nine planets. Indians, from the ancient days, believe that the nine planets control the lives and destiny of people. This is why before two people tie the knot, acknowledging the planets or ‘Navagraha’ becomes quite essential to bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of the couple and the families. For Hindus, this pooja is usually performed two to three days before the wedding to ensure an auspicious start to the festivities. Hindus believe that this Grah Shanti pooja is not just about the planets, but also a way to invite God and ancestors to the wedding. Lord Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of the ceremony to remove all obstacles not only from the entire wedding ceremony, but also from the bride and groom’s married life.

Reasons to Perform a Grah Shanti Pooja

Hindus believe that the Grah Shanti pooja can be beneficial for the couple and the families if they conduct the ceremony in a very ritualistic way. Many believe performing the Grah Shanti puja before the wedding ensures the couple and families will be blessed. Some reasons families perform this pooja include:

• The Grah Shanti pooja washes away all negative energies of the people involved in the ritual ceremony.
• The pooja brings health and wealth to the families of the bride and the bridegroom.
• Many believe the ritual will protect the couple and families from the evil eye and reduce future hardships.
• This ritual also assures us that the negative impact of either couple’s planet will not affect the other.

Tips for a Blessed Grah Shanti

Traditionally during the Grah Shanti pooja, grooms wear comfortable clothing such as kurtas pyjama, sherwanis, and dhotis while brides wear saris or salwar kameez/churidhar. In keeping with ritual traditions, the pooja is performed while sitting on the floor so comfort is important. Couples should avoid black and white as these colors are considered ominous for any kind of religious occasion.

Above all, the commitment from both families of the couple must be shown while worshipping. The Grah Shanti Pooja is an opportunity to bring all your relatives under one roof. You will get the chance to be with family, relax, and make some lovely memories with them. ,, After all, marriage does not mean the union of two souls; instead, it is a union of two families whose happiness relies significantly on you. Sostart making preparations immediately and be fortunate with the blessings of Almighty.

Grah Shanti

Grah Shanti pooja

Indian religious rituals

Protects from evil eye

Washes negative energies

Lord Ganesha

planets or Navagraha

kurtas pyjama

sherwanis

dhotis

Indian saris

salwar kameez

churidhar

Introduction A Hindu wedding according to the Vedas is not merely a social contract—it is considered a sacred spiritual union (Saṁskāra). Marriage is one of the sixteen major sacraments (Ṣoḍaśa Saṁskāras) in Hindu life. The Sacredness of Marriage In the Vedic tradition, marriage is performed in the presence of Agni, the sacred fire. who acts as the divine witness. The couple takes vows based on Vedic mantras. committing to a life guided by the four fundamental goals of human life, known as the Purushārthas (पुरुषार्थ):

• Dharma – righteous living and moral duty
• Artha – material prosperity and livelihood
• Kāma – emotional and sensory fulfillment
• Mksa—spiritual liberation

The core wedding rituals described in the Vedas appear primarily in the Rigveda (Maṇḍala 10, Sūkta 85), known as the Vivāha Sūkta.

1. Vivāha as a Sacred Saṁskāra In Vedic philosophy, marriage is a partnership in dharma. The bride and groom become gṛhasthas (householders) and together fulfill

• Performing yajña (sacred rituals)
• Practicing Dharma
• Raising children
• Serving society
• Continuing the family lineageThe Gṛhastha Āśrama (householder stage) is considered the pillar of society, because

2. Role of Agni (Sacred Fire)The most important witness in a Vedic wedding is Agni. Agni represents:

• Purity
• Divine presence
• Transformation
• TruthThe couple makes their vows before the sacred fire, signifying that their promises are

3. The tradition of getting married in the Hindu religion[/caption] Main Vedic Wedding Rituals Although regional customs vary, the core Vedic steps usually include the following:Kanyādāna (Giving Away the Bride)The bride’s father formally offers his daughter to the groom. Meaning: The father entrusts the groom with the care and partnership of his daughter, and it symbolizes blessings and the transfer of responsibility.Pāṇigrahaṇa (Holding the Hand) The groom holds the bride’s hand while reciting a Vedic mantra from the Rigveda (10.85.36): “I take your hand for happiness, so that together we may live to old age in prosperity.” This mantra signifies the couple accepts each other as lifelong partners.Agni Pradakṣiṇā (Circling the Sacred Fire) – Maṅgala Pherās In many Gujarati and North Indian Hindu wedding traditions, the couple takes four Maṅgala Pherās around the sacred fire, which is the divine witness, Agni.Meaningful symbolism is observed during these rounds:

• In the first three phases, the husband leads.
• In the fourth era, the wife leads.This does not indicate superiority or dominance. Instead, it reflects the balance of responsibilities in married life.First Three Pheras—Husband Leads The first three rounds correspond to the first three Purushārthas:

1. Dharma—righteous duty: Uphold dharma in the household
2. Artha—livelihood and prosperity: Work for material stability prosperity
3. Kāma—love and fulfillment: Work for material stability and prosperityThe deeper meaning is responsibility and commitment, not authority.Fourth Phera—Wife Leads The fourth round represents Mokṣa, the highest spiritual goal—liberation and selfrealization. In this round, the bride leads and the groom follows.This symbolizes that

• The wife becomes the spiritual guide of the home
• The nurturing principle leads toward spiritual growth
• The household moves toward higher values and inner realizationIn traditional Hindu thought, the wife is often called Gṛha Lakṣmī—the auspicious spiritual energy in the home.Here, the wife also reminds the husband of the ultimate goal of life: Mokṣa.

• Material life requires effort and responsibility.
• Spiritual life requires wisdom, compassion, and inner strength.The Vedic tradition honors the spiritual power of the feminine principle.In many scriptures, the wife is called: “Saha-dharma-chāriṇī” the one who walks together in dharma. In Simple Words: Together, they promise to walk through life side by side.

The Saptapadi – The Seven Sacred Steps The Saptapadi (seven steps) is the most sacred part of the Hindu marriage ceremony. After the seventh step, the couple is considered o􀆯icially married. The Seven Vows

• Step 1 – Nourishment: “Let us take the first step for nourishment.” Together we will provide food and support our household.
• Step 2 – Strength: “Let us take the second step for strength.” We will grow stronger physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Step 3 – Prosperity: “Let us take the third step for prosperity.” We will earn wealth honestly and share it responsibly.
• Step 4 – Happiness: “Let us take the fourth step for happiness.” We will support each other in joy and sorrow.
• Step 5 – Children: “Let us take the fifth step for progeny.” We will raise virtuous children.
• Step 6 – Health and Longevity: “Let us take the sixth step for long life.” We will live healthy and peaceful lives together.
• Step 7 – Friendship: “Let us take the seventh step for friendship.” Now we become lifelong companions and partners.

In Vedic philosophy, the final vow—friendship—is considered the most important. In the Vedic tradition, marriage is understood as a sacred partnership in which two individuals walk together on the path of dharma and spiritual growth. Thus, marriage becomes a shared spiritual journey. The Essence of Vedic Marriage A Vedic marriage is a sacred union witnessed by Agni, grounded in Vedic mantras from the Rigveda, in which two individuals take sacred vows and promise to walk together in dharma, harmony, and spiritual growth. Jai Shree Krishna

About the Author 

Samir (Sam) Desai was with Motorola for more than 34 years. He served as Sr. Vice President & General Manager for iDEN® Networks, managing over six billion dollars’ worth of business. He has a MS in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. He also holds an MBA from Loyola University, Chicago. He is known as a management guru who has applied principles from the Bhagavad Gita in the corporate world. After retiring from Motorola, Sam Desai served as an independent consultant for the Board of Directors of three companies: Larsen & Toubro Infotech, Larsen & Toubro Technology Services, and Welch Allyn.

Those not intimately familiar with Indian weddings may envision large, extravagant weddings complete with loads of money, glamour, and style all rolled into one to make one of the most important events in one’s life the most memorable. However, with all the glitz and sparkle in modern day Indian weddings, the celebration is still not devoid of age-old wedding rituals. Such is the strength and solidarity signified by Indian wedding rituals. Indian weddings are solemnized with utmost sanctity, and the married couple is believed to be bound to each other for seven birth cycles.

Significance of Rituals

A strong belief in religion along with certain dedicated ancient practices forms the foundation of many of the customary practices still being adhered to in modern India. Indian weddings are predominant examples of many of the rituals and customs that people still follow. Age-old practices that are the foundation of Indian society have given rise to certain stringent rituals followed at Indian weddings.

Tilak
Only the male members of the bride and groom’s family attend this pre-wedding celebration. The significance of this ceremony is to bless and welcome their upcoming son-in-law, which is why this ceremony is held at the groom’s house. As a first step of introduction between the male members of the bride and groom’s family, a hawan or pooja is performed at the groom’s house. The Tilak ceremony is said to commence the wedding alliance before the actual wedding day.

Traditions aside, the tilak when applied at the space between the eyebrows, known as Ajna chakra, has a cooling effect as it tends to nullify the heat that is generated when concentrating, meditating or praying during the ceremony.

Engagement (Sagai)
This traditional ceremony is held with opulent celebrations and elaborate decorations. The engagement ceremony sanctifies the institution of marriage, and it signifies the bride and groom are joined together for life. It is also one of the first celebrations held between the bride and the groom’s families.

The sagai is also known as the ring ceremony since the bride and groom exchange rings with each other during this ceremony. The ring signifies a never ending circle, thus once the rings are exchanged, the couple becomes one for life. A havan is performed to bless the couple, keep evil and negativity away, and harness cosmic energy so as to achieve spiritual and material goals.

Nav Graha Aarti
This is a puja ceremony done in order to worship the nine planets of our solar system that govern us. Indian mythology and ancient studies state that these celestial bodies, depending upon certain factors, affect a person’s destiny either positively or negatively. The most intense impact is said to come from the nine planets of our solar system. Thus, at the navgraha puja the Gods associated with their respective planets are asked to shower their blessings on the bridal couple.

Mehndi
Mehndi is considered to be one of the 16 adornments of the bride. In this pre-wedding ceremony, the bride is beautified with the colors of mehndi on her hands, arms, legs, and feet. A mehndi expert is usually invited to artfully design the bride’s mehndi. The mehndi ceremony is a merry and festive occasion, an appropriate precursor to wedding celebrations. Since the ceremony revolves primarily around the bride, it is essentially a event for women.

Mehndi is made by drying the leaves of the henna plant. Henna has a cooling effect on the body – it keeps at bay the heat generated in the body out of anxiety and excitement, thus keeping the bride at ease in the midst of all the overwhelming activities throughout the wedding. Many believe that the darker the color of the mehndi, the longer will she be loved by her husband.

Vidai
The vidai ceremony typically takes place after the wedding day when the bride officially leaves the house of her parents to live with her husband. In India, this ceremony is filled with much emotion, unlike some of the previously mentioned ceremonies. The bride’s family bids her farewell, and the bride promises to bring prosperity and good luck in her new home. The vidai ceremony implies the end of one phase of bride’s life, and publicly announces the start of a new phase with her husband and new family.

This ceremony is a combination of happiness and sadness. Though the bride and her family are sad that she is leaving them, at the same time they are also happy that she is going to start a new life with her new family.

Salt – Datar
Once the wedding and reception are over, the couple goes to the groom’s house. Before entering her new home, the bride waits at the entrance for the datar ceremony. It starts with the groom’s mother or any elderly person rinsing the bride’s feet. The bride has to sprinkle milk in every corner of the house, while her head is covered. This act has a deep-rooted meaning – it signifies that incase there arises any misunderstandings between the family members, the bride will seek it out and maintain peace. She then takes a fistful of salt and places it on her groom’s hand, he in turn passes the salt back in her hand without spilling any, and this procedure is repeated three times. This way, every member of the groom’s family participates in this ceremony.

The significance is that just as salt blends with any food and adds taste to it, so would the bride blend with the family members and maintain love and harmony.

Weddings are celebrated with great fervor around the world and across cultures. What makes them special though are the diverse rituals and traditions that are truly fascinating. In Islam, marriage is seen as a righteous act, a social commitment, and an act of devotion towards significant other. Here is a glimpse into the ceremonial rituals that make the wedding an elegant and stylish affair.

Pre-Wedding Rituals

The most exciting part of a fulfilling marital bliss begins with some significant rituals before the wedding day arrives.

Salat-ul-Ishtikara

When preparing married, this prayer is performed keeping the future partner in mind to seek blessings and steer clear of doubts. It places the utmost trust in Allah’s will. An Imam performs this ritual to officially announce the wedding.

Imam Zamin

The groom’s mother visits the house of the bride and ties a silver or gold coin wrapped in silk cloth on the bride’s hand. This ritual is performed to ward off any evil and ensures the safety of the bride.

Mangni

Mangni, widely known as the engagement function, is the coming together of families, relatives, and friends. They bear witness to the ring ceremony of betrothal, exchange gifts, and shower blessings on the duo.

Manjha

Colloquially known as the Haldi ceremony, a blend of turmeric, sandalwood, and rose water is applied to the bride and groom in their respective homes. This is followed by a ritual bath that doesn’t allow them to leave the house before the wedding.

Rasm-e-Heena (Mehndi)

Henna (mehndi) designs are applied to the hands and feet of the bride. This ceremonial art is very detailed and intricate in its pattern. The darker the mehndi color, the stronger and loving the bond is said to be. Traditionally the groom’s name is hidden in the designs on the bride’s limbs for him to find on the wedding night.

Sanchaq

The groom’s male friends and family members bring with them precious gifts, scrumptious sweets, and ornamental jewelry accompanying the beautiful bridal outfit. This is the last performing pre-wedding ritual to strengthen, support, and seal the wedding.

Wedding Attire

Grooms are often given the choice to wear either Kurta Pyjama, Sherwani, or formals like a suit, tuxedo, etc., whereas, for brides, it is Salwar Kameez or Sharara. The traditionally designed nose pin and Jhoomar are the emblems of Muslim brides.

Wedding Day Rituals

The much-awaited day is full of meaningful traditions and special moments.

Baraat

The groom, ready and excited for what awaits, is accompanied by all guests, and a grand procession follows from his home to the bride’s door.

Welcome

At his arrival, he receives a warm welcome. As the members escort him to the wedding venue, he is offered Sharbat (drink), while flowers and ‘ittar’ are sprayed along the way.

Nikaah

The Maulvi performs the ritual and recites a prayer from the Quran while the groom’s family offers the bride ‘Mehr’ to seek her consent for marriage.

During Ijab-e-Qubool, both groom and bride were asked separately their will to marry each other by saying ‘Qubool Hai,’ three times.

As decreed by the Quran, Nikah Nama is signed followed by Khutba, wherein the Maulvi recites what we know as marriage vows.

Arsi Mushraf 

A mirror is placed between the newly-wed along with the Holy Quran. Everyone is tickled pink when the groom and bride lay eyes on each other for the first time in their reflection.

Post Wedding Rituals

Festive rituals continue even after the wedding ceremony.

Rukhsat

The Rukhsat is when the bride bids farewell to her family and is welcomed into her new home by the groom’s mother. The Quran is placed above the bride’s head and she begins her role as a daughter-in-law with its blessings.

Walimah

Similar to the reception, the grand ceremony known as Walimah offers abundant feasts and delicacies such as Biryani, Korma and more while the bride and groom are seated atop a raised platform.

Chauthi

Chauthi is the fourth day after the wedding when the husband takes his wife to visit her family. There they are treated with delicacies, and this concludes full-fledged wedding celebrations.

Pre-Wedding Rituals

Salat-ul-Ishtikara

Imam Zamin

Mangni

Manjha

Rasm-e-Heena

Mehndi

Sanchaq

Wedding Attire

Wedding Day Rituals

Baraat

Nikaah

Arsi Mushraf

Nikah Nama

Khutba

Maulvi

Qubool Hai

Holy Quran

Post Wedding Rituals

Rukhsat

Walimah

Chauthi

righteous act

social commitment

significant rituals

Haldi ceremony

Colloquially

sandalwood

blend of turmeric

Kurta Pyjama

Sherwani

Salwar Kameez or Sharara

traditionally designed nose pin

traditionally designed nose Jhoomar

emblems of Muslim brides

ittar

Sharbat

drink

Mehr

Ijab-e-Qubool

About the Author Tanya Narayan, a Senior Journalist at Desh-Videsh Media Group, brings stories to life with deep insight and on-the-ground reporting. With a passion for uncovering cultural and human narratives, she explores India’s most significant events and traditions.

Love, hope, excitement and a new beginning are words that come to mind when you think of newlyweds. In our previous Wedding Resources Guide, the wedding story of Annvi, a recent bride, was featured. Due to overwhelming response, we are including several personal stories in this special edition. It is our pleasure to present the personal experience of Christina Dalsania, Vidya Maharaj, Sonia Chopra, Shivon Patel and Pareeta Mehta. We love exploring how couples and their families are personalizing their weddings. From choosing an elephant for the wedding procession to a destination wedding at a winery, each wedding demonstrates something unique.

No couple wants their wedding to be an exact replica of that of their sister, brother, or a best friend. Each couple sets out to put their unique signature on their special event. Each couple wants their guests to leave saying, “that was wonderful” or “that was beautiful and different.”