South Indian Wedding Rituals: Panigrahana and Saptapadi The ritual involves the couple taking seven sacred steps together around a fire, each step representing a vow covering an aspect of their married life. Completing the Saptapadi binds the couple spiritually and legally as husband and wife. In Panigrahana, the groom takes the bride's right hand in his to symbolize their union for life. Saptapadi, which means seven steps, follows Panigrahana. The ritual involves the couple taking seven sacred steps together around a fire, each step representing a vow covering an aspect of their married life. Completing the Saptapadi binds the couple spiritually and legally as husband and wife Agni, or fire, is a sacred element of South Indian weddings. It symbolizes the divine witness of the union, which is why wedding rituals such as the Saptapadi and the exchange of vows take place around a sacred fire called Agni Kundam or Homa