PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE ON THE GROOM'S SIDE OR TULSI'S FRIENDS - YOU WILL BE PART OF THE GROOMS ENTRANCE - PLEASE ARRIVE PROMPTLY AT 8:30AM

Pokwanu takes place after the baraat and is another moment when the bride's family welcomes the groom. The bride's mother applies a tilak on the groom's forehead, who's then led inside the Hindu wedding structure called a mandap for the rest of the ceremonies. The groom is also tasked with smashing a clay pot with his foot into small pieces to symbolise his ability to overcome future obstacles the couple might face.

As soon as the groom's shoes come off (no shoes in the mandap), the bride's family will begin scheming to steal them. If they are successful, the groom will have to negotiate to get them back!

Before the ceremony begins, the Priest invokes Lord Ganesh, the Hindu elephant God that removes all obstacles, as a precursor to nuptials about to take place. The Ganesha Puja is performed by the Bride's parents, the ceremony begins by offering a prayer to Lord Ganesh requesting peace and harmony to prevail during the ceremony. The Bride’s parents perform the Vaar Puja, a ceremony where they wash the Groom's feet, offer flowers and Madhuparka. It is stated in the Vedic scriptures that at the time of marriage the groom is a representation of Lord Vishnu. At the end of the ceremony, a veil of cloth (Antarpat) is held in front of the groom to prevent him from seeing the bride as she enters.

Next, the bride enters during the kanya aagman. Kanya aagman is the Hindi phrase for "the girl's arrival" or "the arrival of the bride." During the procession, the bride will often walk underneath a phoolon ki chaadar, a sheet usually adorned with flowers that represent the bride leaving the protection of her family to be with her groom, held by her uncles. The soon-to-be bride is then led to the mandap (wedding structure), where the groom, his parents and the priest are seated.

There are several stages to the ceremony itself which will be detailed in English on the programme you will receive on the day.

A buffet lunch will be served after the ceremony.