Water purifies their union and milk blesses them with happiness and prosperity. With this gesture the father of the bride symbolizes this promise; " I offer you this most precious gift of my daughter to take as your own, to cherish and to protect. Take my daughter to be your life partner."

PAANIGRAHAN
In turn, the groom holding his bride's hands say to her "I will hold your hands forever. I do so to keep you happy and I am proud to be your husband. May God who has united us bless me so that I will be an ideal husband. He then recites the hymns for the happiness and the lifelong relationship

HASTA MELAP (COMPLETE UNION)
To complete the symbolic union of the bride and groom, the groom's scarf or shawl is tied to the bride's saree or lengha in a cord known as "Hasta Melap" or "Complete Union". This knot and the joined hands of the couple symbolise the union of two souls joined together in holy matrimony. The family and relatives present also come together to bless the couple and shower more grains of rice and rose petals on them for their everlasting happiness.

AGNI STHAAPNA (LIGHTING OF THE FIRE)
After these rituals, the couple who were facing each other are know made to sit side by side and the holy fire that will witness the rest of their wedding is lit by the priest while chanting mantras for a long married life for the couple. Once the fire has been lit, the groom is asked by the priest to make offerings of ghee to the fire.

In Vedic texts, Agni is the mouth of Lord Vishnu and the Gods obtain our offering through this medium.. Fire symbolises knowledge, happiness and illumination of mind. As per the Hindu religion, the fire is considered the sustainer of life. It is the groom who makes the actual oblations to the fire whilst the bride touches his right arm as he is doing so.

LAJJA HOMA (OFFERING PUFFED RICE TO THE FIRE)
Laja homa is the offering of puffed rice into the sacred fire. Puffed rice symbolizes prosperity. The brother of the bride puts into the bride's hands parched rice, half of which slips into the Bridegrooms hands and then into the fire amidst the chanting of mantras. The bride prays to Yama, the god of death, that he grants long life, health, happiness and prosperity to the Bridegroom.

MANGAL PHERAS OR AGNI PARIKRAMA (CIRCLING THE FIRE)
The next ritual is that of mangal phera or circling of the fire. The pheras start with the groom leading the bride around the fire. For the last phera, the bride comes in front of the groom. Each phera represents the four goals of a fulfilled married life.

Dharma (carrying out duties towards each other and their respective families) Artha (wealth and prosperity to enjoy the comforts of life) Kama (emotional and physical enjoyment) and Moksha (enlightenment and liberation).

Each round culminates in both the bride and the bridegroom placing offerings or ahutis of puffed rice in the sacred fire. After the rounds, the couple is seated with the bride on the left. Just as the heart is on the left side of the body, she will be the more compassionate one of the couple.

SHILA ROHAN (STEPPING ON THE ROCK)
A rock is placed in the northeast comer of the Mandap. Whilst the bride places her right foot on the piece of rock, the groom recites a statement to encourage his wife to be as strong as the rock and to be firm towards any difficulties of life they may face together.

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