Saptapadi (Sanskrit: सप्तपदी, saptapadī, pronounced /ˌsəptəˈpəðiː/ lit. seven steps; Hindi: सात फेरे, sāt phéré, lit. seven circumambulations) is an important rite (Sanskrit, Hindi: rītī) of a Hindu marriage ceremony. In the seven steps, the bride and groom circumambulate a consecrated fire seven times, reciting specific vows with each circuit (Sanskrit: parikrama). Vows made in the presence of the sacred fire (Sanskrit: agni) are considered unbreakable, with Agnideva (lit. God/Lord of Fire; c.f. Latin cognates: ignis+deus) held as both witnessing and blessing the couple's union.