Pheras (Mangal Phera)

The pheras are among the most sacred and binding rites of the Hindu wedding, performed within the mandap around the agni that serves as the divine witness. As the couple circles the fire, the priest recites mantras and the bride and groom take vows pertaining to different aspects of married life.

The number and meaning of the rounds vary by tradition. In many North Indian ceremonies four pheras are performed, each representing a goal of life: dharma (duty and righteousness), artha (prosperity), kama (desire and family), and moksha (spiritual liberation). In ceremonies built around the saptapadi, the couple takes seven steps or rounds, each tied to a specific blessing or promise.

A notable detail in many traditions is that the groom leads the first rounds and the bride leads the later one(s), or the lead changes partway through, reflecting differing interpretations of the couple's roles. The completion of the pheras, often together with the saptapadi, is the point at which the marriage is considered ritually and socially complete.