Saptapadi is the most important rite

Rite

A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. Rites in this sense fall into three major categories:* rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as marriage, baptism, or graduation....

 (Sanskrit, Hindi: rītī) of a Hindu marriage

Hindu wedding

Hindu wedding is thought to be the bringing of two people who are said to be compatible. Hindu wedding ceremonies are traditionally conducted at least partially in Sanskrit, the language of most holy Hindu ceremonies. The local language of the people involved is also used since most Hindus do not...

 ceremony. The word, Saptapadi means "Seven steps". After tying the Mangalsutra

Mangalsutra

A Mangalsutra is a symbol of Hindu marriage union in South Asia. It is a sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by women as a symbol of their marriage...

, the newly wed couple take seven steps around the holy fire, that is called Saptapadi.

Saptapadi

In Eastern India, South India

South India

South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...

 and in Western India specially in Hindu Marriage, after each saying a mantra at each of the seven steps, the couple say these words together:

"Now let us make a vow together. We shall share love, share the same food, share our strengths, share the same tastes. We shall be of one mind, we shall observe the vows together. I shall be the Samaveda

Samaveda

The Sama veda , is second of the four Vedas, the ancient core Hindu scriptures. Its earliest parts are believed to date from 1700 BC and it ranks next in sanctity and liturgical importance to the Rigveda...

, you the Rigveda

Rigveda

The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...

, I shall be the Upper World, you the Earth; I shall be the Sukhilam, you the Holder - together we shall live and beget children, and other riches; come thou, O sweet-worded girl!"

In North India

North India

North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...

n weddings, the bride and the groom say the following words after completing the seven steps:

"We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey-sweet for us. May the morning be honey-sweet for us. May the earth be honey-sweet for us. May the heavens be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us. May the sun be all honey for us. May the cows yield us honey-sweet milk. As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled."

In Culture

• In 1961, a Bengali film was released in Tollywood
  Cinema of West Bengal
  The cinema of West Bengal refers to the Tollygunge-based Bengali film industry in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The origins of the nickname Tollywood, a portmanteau of the words Tollygunge and Hollywood, dates back to 1932...
  
   directed by Ajoy Kar named Saptapadi
  Saptapadi (film)
  Saptapadi Bengali Film is a 1961 film by Ajoy Kar, starring Suchitra Sen, Uttam Kumar, Chhabi Biswas, Chaya Debi.-Synopsis:Its a love story with a twist set in Bengal in pre independent India ; the time when young Indian students were competing equally with British 'goras' in all fields whether it...
  
  . It is a love story with a twist set in Bengal in pre independent India (early 1940); the time when young Indian students were competing equally with British 'goras' in all fields whether it be education or sports.
• In 1981 a Telugu film was released named Sapthapadhi, directed by Kasinadhuni Viswanath, this film won National Award in Indian Films.

External links

• Website with more information on Saat phera and Indian Hindu marriage
• http://www.vivaaha.org/saptapad.htm