<Li> Kanyadaan--the giving away of daughter by the father </Li> <Li> Panigrahana--a ritual in presence of fire, where the groom takes the bride's hand as a sign of their union </Li> <Li> Saptapadi--is the most important ritual . It is called the seven step ritual, where each step corresponds to a vow groom makes to bride, and a vow the bride makes to groom . The vows are pronounced in Sanskrit in long form, or short quicker form, sometimes also in the language of the groom and bride . In many weddings, Saptapadi is performed near a fire; and after each of the seven oaths to each other, the groom and bride perform the ritual of agnipradakshinam--walk around the fire, with the end of their garments tied together . The groom usually leads the bride in the walk . The fire is a form of yajna--a Vedic ritual where fire is the divine witness (to the marriage). After Saptapadi, the couple are considered husband and wife . </Li> <P> The Kanyadaan ceremony is performed by the father . If the father has died, a guardian of bride's choosing performs this ritual . The father brings the daughter, then takes the bride's hand and places it to the groom's . This marks the beginning of the ceremony of giving away the bride . The groom accepts the bride's hand, while the kama - sukta (hymn to love) is pronounced, in the presence of the father, the bride and the groom . The Kamasukta verse is: </P>

How many times does the bride and bridegroom walk around the fire during the hindu wedding ceremony