Hindu Vivah / Mandap Ceremony

The Hindu Vivah is the central religious ceremony of a Hindu wedding, conducted beneath a decorated mandap (ceremonial canopy) by a pandit (priest). The ceremony follows Vedic rituals and includes several key moments: the Kanyadaan (giving away of the bride by her father), the Saat Phere or Pheras (seven circumambulations around the sacred fire), and the Sindoor ceremony (the groom applying sindoor to the bride's hairline).

The seven pheras each carry a specific vow — for prosperity, strength, devotion, happiness, progeny, longevity, and friendship — and are considered the legally and spiritually binding core of the wedding. The ceremony typically lasts three to five hours and requires a skilled pandit who can guide the family through the rituals while keeping guests engaged.

The mandap is one of the most photographed settings in the entire wedding programme, and the choice of decorator is critical — floral mandaps, crystal mandaps, and intricate stage designs are all significant investments. Key vendors: pandit, decorator (mandap is the centrepiece), photographer, videographer, caterer, and floral designer.