The bride and groom are considered wed when the groom ties a mangalsutram/thali
which is a sacred thread that symbolizes his promise to take care of the bride as long as he lives. The groom ties three knots when he ties the Thali, symbolizing the gods
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The entire wedding is done around an Agni Homam(sacred fire). Agni (fire god) is considered as the main witnesses to the marriage. The bride and the groom then circle the fire seven times, in a clockwise direction, called Saat Phere which signifies seven goals of married life which include religious and moral
duties, prosperity, spiritual salvation and liberation, and sensual gratification. The bride leads the Pheres first and then the groom leads them, signifying equality of the two partners and their determination to stand beside each other though happiness and
sorrow.