Sheela and Aaron

With many thanks to The Historic Pinecrest in Monument, I was able to coordinate a traditional Indian ceremony followed by a traditional American ceremony. The detail and time that went into the ceremony set up was beyond my belief. It took them over an hour to build the Mantapam, the canopy where the wedding takes place under.

This being my first Indian ceremony I was amazed at the beauty of the wedding sari and the intricate detail each one entailed. Everywhere I walked there was something else to be amazed at, something else to ooh and ahh at. If it wasn't the Mantapam and every detailed item underneath, to the beautiful sari's, to the aroma that was over taking the chapel. There were fresh flowers to signify beauty, coconut to signify fertility, rice, sweets and sprouts to signify the food required for sustenance of human life, and Ghee (purified butter) to feed the sacred fire. Yes...there was an actual fire in the chapel to represent God's presence as a witness to the marriage.

The ceremony began with Maappillai Alaippu-Welcoming of the Groom. Aaron's arrival was greeted by family and friends and Aarthi is performed by women as a form of greeting. Each session of the wedding is ended with Aarthi which is a Sanskrit word meaning "The Close". The women wave a tray with yellow water and camphor is lit in the middle. Camphor signifies purity as it leaves no residue or ashes.

Under the Mantapam Aaron performs Pada Pooja, which is a ritual of cleansing the feet of his father and grandmother. This ritual is performed to show respect to parents and demonstrate humbleness. When the ritual is complete, Aaron is tied with a sacred thread around his wrist and wedding clothes are presented to him to wear.

Welcoming the Bride took place next- Penn Alaippu. Sheela arrived with her family and friends and performs the same rituals as Aaron to her mother and father. She is also presented with a wedding sari and leaves to change.

While both Aaron and Sheela are changing into their wedding clothes, Thali, a sacred gold chain, which represents Sheela marrying into the family, is placed in a tray on top of a coconut and presented to the elders to get their blessings.

Aaron and Sheela return and sit under the Mantapam together both offering ghee and twigs to the scared fire. Aaron was then to put the Thali, along with a sacred thread around Sheela's neck and ties three knots. He then repeats the Sanskrit invocation, "With this sacred thread, I entrust my life to you and will protect and care for you for a hundred years". At this point, Sheela is welcomed into Aaron's family.

Aaron and Sheela hold hands and take the first seven steps together-Sapthapadi. With each step, they take a sacred marriage vow:

1.) We will provide for a nurturing household.

2.) We will develop physical, mental, and spiritual unity.

3.) We will procure wealth by righteous means.

4.) We will acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony together.

5.) We ask to be blessed with strong and virtuous children through mutual love and trust.
6.) We will work for self restraint and longevity.
7.) We will remain companions for the rest of our lives.

After taking the sacred marriage vow, they each walk around the sacred fire three times. On the third time, Sheela puts her right foot on top of a stone, which signifies that she will be strong as a rock. Aaron puts a metti, (toe ring) onto her toe. Aaron then looks to the "Arunthathi star" and asks Sheela to be as truthful as Arunthathi was to her husband. (Which we found out is an Indian legend).

To end the ceremony, they both get blessings from their parents and other elders in the audience. The entire audience throws flowers to bless the couple.


What an amazing day and experience.