Panigrahana

A yagya during a Hindu wedding.

The ritual of Panigrahana comes after Kanyadana. Sometimes, this ritual is preceded by vivaha-homa rite, wherein a symbolic fire is lit by the groom to mark the start of a new household.

Panigrahana is the 'holding the hand' ritual as a symbol of their impending marital union, and the groom announcing his acceptance of responsibility to four deities: Bhaga signifying wealth, Aryama signifying heavens/milky way, Savita signifying radiance/new beginning, and Purandhi signifying wisdom. The groom faces west, while the bride sits in front of him with her face to the east, he holds her hand while the following Rg vedic mantra is recited:

    I take thy hand in mine, yearning for happiness
    I ask thee, to live with me, as thy husband
    Till both of us, with age, grow old

    Know this, as I declare, that the Gods
    Bhaga, Aryama, Savita and Purandhi, have bestowed thy person, upon me
    that I may fulfill, my Dharmas of the householder, with thee

    This I am, That art thou
    The Sāman I, the Ŗc thou
    The Heavens I, the Earth thou

In Gujarati Wedding this step is called "Hast-Milap" (literally, meeting of hands). The whole ceremony was timed around an auspicious time ("Mauhurat") for this step and few decades ago, the wedding invitation would even list the time when this event was going to take place.