The ritual bathing of the Shivling with milk, water, honey and other offerings while Pandits chant the Rudri (Sri Rudram), one of the most loved Shiva pujas.
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Varanasi · Kashi · Banaras
Engagement Ceremony (Sagai) in Varanasi
An engagement, called Sagai or Nischitartham, formally announces a marriage agreed between two families. In Varanasi, a Pandit performs the puja, Ganesh vandana and exchange of rings or tilak, and confirms the wedding muhurat.
Families from Kashi and visiting families alike hold the ceremony at home, a hotel or a banquet hall in the city.
माङ्गल्यं तन्तुनानेन मम जीवनहेतुना।
कण्ठे बध्नामि सुभगे त्वं जीव शरदां शतम्॥
Māṅgalyaṁ tantunānena mama jīvanahetunā, kaṇṭhe badhnāmi subhage tvaṁ jīva śaradāṁ śatam.
Why Varanasi
Why families choose Varanasi for Nischitartham (Engagement Ceremony)
Many North Indian families like to begin wedding rituals in Varanasi, where the city's Pandits are experienced with Sagai, tilak and roka customs.
A Varanasi Pandit can also suggest the wedding muhurat from the Kashi Panchang during the same ceremony.
Local traditions & timing
- Wedding season brings high demand for halls and Pandits; plan early.
- Tell the Pandit whether your family follows tilak, roka or ring ceremony customs.
- For hotels, confirm that a small puja is permitted.
Where it's performed
- Your home in Varanasi
- A hotel or banquet hall
- A dharamshala for larger family gatherings
Planning tips
- Share both families' customs so the Pandit can plan the sequence.
- Keep rings, tilak samagri, sweets and gifts ready.
- Ask the Pandit for wedding muhurat options at the same time.
About Nischitartham (Engagement Ceremony)
The traditional Hindu engagement ceremony, where both families formally agree to the marriage with Ganesh Puja, exchange of gifts and the reading of the lagna patrika.
Duration
1 to 2 hours
Pricing
On enquiry
Online option
In-person only
Nischitartham (Engagement Ceremony) in Varanasi: FAQs
Can the Pandit fix the wedding date at the engagement?
Yes. The Pandit can suggest muhurat options based on both horoscopes, and the families decide together.
Can the engagement be held at a hotel in Varanasi?
Yes. Confirm with the hotel that a small puja is allowed, and we will arrange the Pandit.
More in Varanasi
Other rituals families book in Varanasi
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableMaha Rudrabhishek
Several days (commonly 5 to 11 days, depending on the number of Pandits)
The grandest form of Rudra worship, traditionally 1331 recitations of the Rudram by a large group of Pandits, with abhishek and havan over several days.
Details
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableLaghu Rudra
6 to 8 hours with 11 Pandits (longer if fewer Pandits)
An elaborate Rudra anushthan, traditionally 121 recitations of the Rudram by 11 Pandits with abhishek, often concluding with a Rudra havan.
Details
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableMahamrityunjaya Jaap
1 to 11 days, depending on the chant count and number of Pandits
A sankalp-based chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra by Pandits, commonly in counts like 11,000, 51,000 or 1.25 lakh, traditionally sought for strength and wellbeing.
Details
शुभं भवतु
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Book Nischitartham (Engagement Ceremony) in Varanasi
Tell us your dates, where you are staying and your family traditions. We'll confirm Pandit availability and pricing on WhatsApp.