The First Prayers
The week begins at home, with the prayers that bless a house before a wedding.
Wednesday 2 December 2026
How the day goes
A morning of prayers and songs at home. Panditji leads the pujas, the women of the family sing the traditional songs, and once the mandap is up, we all sit down to lunch together.
The rites, one by one
- 10:00 AM
Ganesh Pujan
We begin, as every Hindu wedding does, with prayers to Lord Ganesha, so that all that follows goes smoothly.
Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is always remembered first. The kalash is set up, the diya is lit, and the whole family prays together for the days ahead.
- 11:00 AM
Matru Pujan
We honour the divine mothers and our ancestors, and ask for their blessings on the family.
The matrikas, the divine mothers, are worshipped along with those who came before us. It is our way of asking them to stand beside Akshay and Medha.
- 11:00 AM
Dhaan Dhareti
Paddy is placed in the house, as a prayer that the new home always has plenty.
Unhusked rice is the oldest sign of prosperity. It is kept in the house with a prayer that the new home never wants for anything.
- 11:00 AM
Tel
The married women of the family apply oil to the groom, and the auspicious days begin.
The suhaagans of the family touch oil and turmeric to Akshay, a blessing for good health and a happy glow that opens the wedding week.
- 12:00 PM
Mandap
The mandap is put up at home, with prayers and songs.
Bamboo posts are set in the ground and tied together to make the mandap, the sacred canopy that blesses the house for the rites ahead. The family sings as it goes up.
What to wear
No colour theme today. Wear whatever festive outfit you are comfortable in.
Where
The Bajpai Residence
Where it all begins
181-B, Pocket 1, Mayur Vihar Phase 1New Delhi 110091
NearKukreja Hospital and Anand Book Corner
Shree Ram Mandir Mayur Vihar, Pocket 1 (Pink Line)