Maangalya Dhaaranam
The Mangal Sutra (Thali) is then tied during an auspicious hour. The bride is seated over a bundle of grain-laden hay, looking eastward. The bridegroom faces the West and ties the gold Mangal Sutra around the neck of the bride. At that point the, Nadaswarams and drums are played loud and fast to drown other inauspicious sounds. This is called Getti Melam. The Sumangalis also sing - "Gouri Kalyaname, Vaibhogamay!" Three knots are tied around the bride's neck, one by the bridegroom and two by his sister to make the bride a part of the boy's family. The bridegroom recites the appropriate Vedic hymn when he ties the knot. There is no mantra in the Vedic texts for Mangalya Dharanam. Instead the "Paani Grahanam" shloka is recited. Paani Grahanam is the sacred act of uniting the couple by holding hands. The word Paani Grahanam means "holding hands". The groom holds the hand of the bride. This is the one of the very important functions in the marriage ceremony. In between Mangalya Dharanam and Paani Grahanam, the couple should not touch anybody. Hence, all the guests are told not to shake hands with the couple immediately after the Mangalya Dharanam.

Saptha Padhi
The bridegroom holds the bride's hand and walks seven steps with her. This is the most important part of the marriage ceremony because only when they walk 7 steps together (i.e. perform Saptha Padhi) the marriage is completed legally. The underlying belief is that when two people walk 7 steps together they become friends. The mantras recited also say something to that effect.

Pradhaana Homam
The couple pays homage to Agni, the Fire-God, who is regarded as the witness to the marriage (Agni Saakshi). They circle around the fire, and pour ghee, and twigs of nine types of trees, as sacrificial fuel. The fumes are said to possess medicinal, curative properties thus cleansing the bodies of the couple.

Treading on the Grindstone
The bridegroom holds a toe on the brides left foot and helps her tread on a grindstone kept on the right side of the fire, amidst the chanting of mantras.

Laaja Homam
The bride's brother makes an offering to the sacrificial fire on behalf of the bride, as she is forbidden to do it herself. He gives her a handful of parched rice grains, which she hands to the bridegroom who in turn feeds it into the fire. Through this food-offering, the bride seeks a long life for her husband, and propagation of the family. Participation of the bride's family members indicate the continuance of links between the two families, even after marriage. The couple circles around the fire, three times and feed the fire with parched rice three times.

Showering of 'Akshadai'
Akshadai, i.e. rice-grains coated with turmeric and saffron are showered on the couple, by elders and guests.