Welcoming relatives and guests

The gates of the wedding hall are adorned with full-grown plantain trees, signifying evergreen plenty for endless generations. Mango leaves garlands signify the never fading relationship. Soothing music of nadaswaram signifies the union here is sacred and divine. Various designs of Kolam (Rangoli) at the doorsteps match the mood of the occasion, beckoning a hearty welcome to the well wishers who arrive for the function.   

Evening before the wedding 

The evening prior to the wedding day, the bridegroom is brought in a procession to the marriage mandap (hall) from a temple in a flower-decorated vehicle. This is a social function called ‘Janna Vasam’ in south India. Through such a parade, public approval is sought of the groom, chosen by the family.  

After reaching the marriage hall, there is a formal betrothal ceremony signifying the agreement between the families for the proposed alliance.  

 

 

Wedding Day

Vratham

The bride and the groom perform vratham at the start of the marriage ceremony. For the bride, it means the tying of holy thread called kappu on her wrists, which is meant to bring good and act as armor. The groom begins vratham by invoking Gods such as Indra, Soma, Chandra and Agni and prepares himself for a new chapter of life as a householder or grihasta since his days of bachelorhood are over now.

Kasi Yatra

The groom after his student life has two alternatives before him – Grihasta or Sanyas. Being by nature in a satwic state due to strict adherence of bachelorhood and observance of austerities, he is drawn towards asceticism. Hence he decides to go to Kasi, complete with slippers, umbrella, a fan made of bamboo etc. On his way the bride’s father intervenes and advises him of the superiority of married life to an ascetic life. He also promises to give his daughter as companion to face the challenges of life.  

Garland Exchange

As an expression of continuing sibling support after the marriage, the bride and grooms maternal uncles lift them on their respective shoulders and garlands are exchanged thrice in that position. This symbolizes their unification, as one soul in two bodies.  

Swing 

The to be married couple are seated on a swing and as they rock back and forth, the bride and groom are given a sweet concoction of milk, sugar and bananas to eat. Water and lighted lamps are circulated around the swing in order to guard against demons and ghosts. Colored globules of cooked rice are waved in a circular motion and thrown away to propitiate the evil spirits.

The chains of the swing signify the eternal karmic link with the Almighty. The to and fro motion represents the undulating sea-waves of life. Yet in mind and body they shall move in harmony – steady and stable.

 

Wedding Day – Muhurtham (The main event)

Yoke on the head

Sacred grass tied around a wooden yoke along with the Mangalyam is placed on the bride’s head. Holy water is poured through the aperture. This symbolizes that just as a bullock cart cannot run with just one bull, a successful life needs both the bride and groom.  

 

Mangalya Dhanam

The tying of the Mangalyam takes place at exactly the pre-determined auspicious hour. The bridegroom puts the gold Mangalyam around the neck of the bride. The Nadaswaram is played loud and fast so as to muffle any inauspicious sounds at the critical hour. At the same time as the Mangalyam a turmeric thread is also put around the bride’s neck and three knots are tied. The first one is by the bridegroom and the other two are tied by the groom’s sister to welcome the bride to their family.

Pani Graharam

The groom holds the bride’s right hand and prays to Lord Agni, Saraswathi and Vayu as a couple. The groom recites the mantra stating that he will be with the bride in all walks of life.

 

Saptha Padhi

Holding the bride’s hand the bridegroom walks seven steps around the holy fire with her. This is the most important part of the marriage ceremony. And only when they walk these seven steps together is the marriage complete. With each step they take a vow. The belief is that when one walks seven steps with another, one become’s the other’s friend.

 

Wedding Day – Evening Time Functions

Nalangu

The evening time is to relax and play. The newlywed wife calls her husband for play, inviting him through a song. Much to the merriment of all gathered, there follows a series of playful games. The bride anoints the groom’s feet with color paste, fanns him, shows him a mirror, breaks papads over each other’s head.    

These events bring out the qualities of the bride and the groom’s sporting spirit, kindness, co-operative nature thus surfacing the hidden traits for the other to note, thus bringing about better understanding and compatibility.