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The Pheras
One feature that is constant in Hindu weddings is the tradition of taking pheras (rounds) around the sacred fire. Gujaratis and Sindhis take four pheras around the fire, while most other cultures take seven pheras. Before the pheras, the bride is seated to the right of the groom, but after the pheras she is seated to his left, to signify that she is now closer to his heart. In an Arya Samaji wedding, the couple take seven pheras. The groom leads for the first four pheras. After this, he walks behind the bride, who leads the last three pheras, thus signifying that the wife will always lead the husband. In a Sindhi wedding ceremony, the groom leads the first three rounds while the bride leads the fourth. However, every Hindu wedding has at least four pheras. These pheras signify the four main aims of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Dharma: This signifies the spirit of righteousness and one's duty to follow the religion devoutly. Artha: This signifies the path one and right means that one should take for earning one's wealth and livelihood, striving for material gain and success, and endeavouring to help the poor and unprivileged whenever possible. Kama: According to Hindu mythology, Kama is the God of Love. This 'phera' thus symbolizes the love and dedication that a married couple should have towards each other. They should support and stand for each other, 'for better or worse', for the rest of their lives. Moksha: The last phera signifies liberation of suffering. Once a person gets married and encounters the bliss of marital fulfillment, he will find liberation from the sufferings and pains of unmarried life. Essentially, the pheras consist of the Mangalpheras and the Saptapadi The Sapta Padi are the seven sacred marriage vows taken by the newly weds. The couple faces north, and along with each vow, they take a step. In Gujarati weddings, the saptapadi is taken with a slight difference. With each step taken, the groom helps the bride touch seven betel nuts with her right toe. The Seven Vows are the most important part of a marriage ceremony, and with the completion of these steps and vows, a couple is taken as married. The couple then take the blessings of the elders in the family, by touching their feet. The Seven Vows:
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