Muhurat for marriage (Vivah)

What this event is

Vivah (marriage) is the most important of the Hindu samskaras (life sacraments). Two people and two families are joined before the sacred fire, with the saptapadi (seven steps) at its heart. Because it shapes a whole life, more care goes into choosing its date than for almost any other event.

Auspicious timing in the classical guidance

The classical texts used by most North Indian panchang makers, Muhurta Chintamani and Muhurta Martanda, give these rules. Families and priests follow differing lists, so treat this as the most widely cited version.

Essential (rarely compromised)

• Season. Weddings are not held in Chaturmas, the four months from Devshayani Ekadashi to Prabodhini Ekadashi, when Vishnu is said to rest. The wedding season opens again around Prabodhini Ekadashi.
• Kharmas. Dhanu Kharmas and Meena Kharmas, when the Sun is in Dhanu or Meena rashi, are excluded.
• Guru asta and Shukra asta. Jupiter and Venus are the planets of marriage blessings and married life. When either is too close to the Sun to be seen, no wedding date is taken.
• Adhika masa (the extra month) and eclipses are avoided. In North India, the eight days of Holashtak before Holika Dahan are also avoided.
• Bhadra (the Vishti karana) and Rahu Kalam are avoided for the main ceremony.

Strongly preferred

• Nakshatra. The commonly cited list is Rohini, Mrigashira, Magha, Uttara Phalguni, Hasta, Swati, Anuradha, Moola, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati. Some authorities leave out Moola because it is one of the Gand Mool nakshatras. Pushya is traditionally kept out of weddings, although it is excellent for most other purposes. Also avoided in this list are Bharani, Krittika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha and Purva Bhadrapada.
• Tithi. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 13th, in either paksha, are favoured. The rikta tithis (4th, 9th, 14th), the 8th and Amavasya are avoided. Some lists also accept the 12th or Purnima, and some leave out the 10th.

Ideal

• Weekday. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesday and Saturday are avoided in many families. Some regions accept Sunday.
• Month. The commonly preferred months in the Amanta scheme are Kartika (after Prabodhini Ekadashi), Margashirsha, Magha, Phalguna, Chaitra, Vaishakha and Jyeshtha. Pausha is mostly taken up by Dhanu Kharmas. Some avoid Jyeshtha for the eldest child's wedding.
• Fortnight. Shukla paksha is preferred, though many weddings are held in the first half of Krishna paksha too.

Some days, such as Akshaya Tritiya, are treated in several regions as self-auspicious. Practice varies.

Matching the horoscopes

Before a date is fixed, many families have the two horoscopes compared. In the North Indian method, Ashta-koota (eight factors), the match is scored out of 36 points, and a score of about 18 or more is commonly regarded as acceptable. South Indian families often use the ten porutham instead. Matching is a conversation aid and does not replace the couple's own judgement.

Time of day

The main rites fall in the evening or at night in much of North India, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bengal, and in the morning or by day in the South and many Maharashtrian weddings. Follow your family's custom.

Preparation and ritual outline

1. Ganesh puja and Sankalp (statement of intention), with a kalash of water, mango leaves and a coconut.
2. Navagraha puja and regional pre-wedding rites such as haldi and mehndi.
3. Jaimala (garland exchange) and kanyadaan (giving away of the bride).
4. Vivaha homa (sacred fire), panigrahana (taking the hand), saptapadi and the vows.
5. Blessings of elders, and entry of the bride into her new home.

A mantra often chanted first is ॐ गं गणपतये नमः (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah). Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.

Practical notes for the USA

Venue, caterer and guest travel usually decide the weekend. Many couples pick a Saturday or Sunday that suits the venue, then ask the priest for the best muhurat window on that day, rather than looking for a perfect date.

The legal marriage and the religious ceremony can be separate. The licence and registration can be done on any convenient day, and the vivah rites held at the chosen muhurat. Check your state's rules for who may solemnise the ceremony.

Ask the venue about open flame. If a sacred fire is not allowed indoors, priests can adapt with a small contained fire, camphor or a lamp. Use the local times shown for your city.

A personal note

This is general guidance. A personal muhurat is made from the family's own horoscopes by a qualified jyotishi.