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What the HastmelapEntails

If translated to English from the Sanskrit language, Hastmelap means ‘the joining of hands’. It is sometimes lumped up with the Kanyadaan ceremony, but they are two distinct rites. During Hastmelap, the couple stand before the agni (fire) which was lit during the Kanyadaan, and in the presence of the fire Lord, Agni Devta, they join their hands to show the commencement of their marital union. The groom places his right hand in the bride’s right hand and the groom’s sister or mother ties the edges of the couple’s scarves in a literal act of tying the knot. After the joining, the couple make promises to be kind and affectionate to each other’s families. They also promise to treat other people respectfully, with love, and compassionately.

Mangal Fera Ritual

Similar to the Saptapadi ritual of the Hindu Ceremony, Mangal Fera (also referred to as Mangal Phere) consists of the couple taking four circles, or ‘feras’ around the agni (sacred fire). Either ritual may be performed based on the variations of the ceremony. While Saptapadi is more common and also noticeably relevant to the Hindu ceremony, Mangal Fera is frequently used to highlight the four basic goals of life. Each of these four cycles represents a promise just as each phere does in the Saptapadi ritual. The couple begins their walk around the fire, each completed circle representing the four stages of life:

1) To pursue life’s religious and moral duty (Dharma)

2) To pursue prosperity (Artha)

3) To pursue earthly pleasures (Kama)

4) To pursue spiritual salvation (Moksha)

The jai mala is a garland, comprised of strung flowers, that is exchanged between the newlyweds. The ritual ends with each half of the couple wearing one. "To us Hindus, the jai mala symbolizes the partners welcoming each other into their families.