The Jai Jais Blog

I remember planning my wedding, and going through with the priest the ceremony so I could translate the meaning of the rituals into English, so friends and family could understand the rich symbolism of our wedding.  We had our  wedding 18 years ago at a suite in Manchester Airport.  During the planning we told them we have a ceremonial fire.  The manager looked at me as if I was bonkers!! He said can you walk around a T-light??? My hear jumped was he crazy!!! Ever since being a little girl walking around the firs was what I dreamed of when marrying my prince! The manager proceeded to tell me it’s an airport… we have quite strict fire regulations!!!...On the big day we had two fire engines outside lol!! To get past the health and safety when they disabled the alarm so I could have my dream wedding!!!

Agni in Sanskrit means “Fire”.  Agni is the fire god of Hinduism. He is regarded as the friend and protector of humanity, and is know to safe guard our homes. Agni knows the thoughts of all people, and is a witness to all important actions, hence the ceremonial fire during Hindu weddings. He has been referred to in the Mahabharata as the “purifier”.

Aarti is one of the most important and popular rituals of the Hindu faith. Aarti has been performed since the Vedic period.  It is a ceremony performed in  greeting and thanksgiving of the deities, where devotees are reminded of God’s presence. In Sanskrit, the word ‘arti’ is composed of ‘aa’, meaning complete, and ‘rati’, meaning love. The Aarti is an expression of one’s complete love towards God. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of adoration, and meditative awareness.