Dekshitha & Pranav
Important Rituals at Wedding
Mappillai Azhaippu-Bharaat
Friends and Family
This ritual is performed to welcome the groom; he is taken around the marriage venue on an Elephant, or horse, in a chariot or a car, with friends and family greeting him, dancing and singing. The bride's family awaits at the entrance to welcome the groom and his family inside.
Nichayathartham-Engagement
Friends and Family
This is a very important pre-wedding ceremony and is the final confirmation of the wedding where the Tamil bride offers prayers to Lord Ganesha in the presence of a priest. Both families sit in front of each other and exchange coconuts and betel leaves. The bride and groom then exchange rings. The groom's family bestows the bride with clothing, cosmetics, healthy food items, and jewelry; in return, the bride's family offers the groom new clothes that he is going to change into. A small Aarthi (prayer) is done for the bride to ward off any negativity that may affect her on their wedding day.
Kashi Yatra-Pilgrimage
Friends and Family
Kashi is a holy city in India, historically a focus for higher education and religious understanding. In this ritual, the groom pretends to get cold feet and decides to travel to Kashi, seeking a spiritual life. He packs his essentials according to custom, which include an umbrella, a walking stick, the Bhagavad Gita (the holy book), coconuts and some rice. The family of the bride intercepts him and tries to convince him to come back which leads to a merry chase around the venue while everyone else enjoys a hearty laugh. The bride's father then asks the groom to share the pleasures and challenges of family life and, with this promise, the groom returns to marry the bride.
Maalai - Exchange of Garlands
This will happen outside the Venue
Once the groom agrees to the marriage, he exchanges flower garlands with the bride. In the Hindu tradition, exchanging garlands indicates that the bride has picked the groom to be her husband. The bride and groom try to garland each other three times with both sides trying to dodge each attempt. In the Shastras, this beautiful ritual symbolizes the unification of the couple as one soul in two bodies.
Oonjal -The Swing Ceremony
Friends and Family
Oonjal is a swing that is beautifully decorated with flowers and ornaments, where the bride and the groom are meant to sit. It is then gently rocked back and forth; this motion is a message to the couple that they must stay strong during turbulent times and challenges of life. Relatives and friends sing songs blessing the bride and groom. Then, the couple is fed milk and bananas. The women folk of both families throw colored rice balls in four directions to fend off evil spirits. The ritual also signifies the support of family and friends throughout the couple's life together.
Maangalyam - Tying the Thali
Groom
The groom gives the ‘koorai podavai’ – a traditional nine-yard saree to the bride that she is supposed to wear to begin her life as the missus. Once the bride is ready in the nine-yard saree, she comes back and sits on the lap of her father and is showered with gifts and blessings. This happens before the couple tie the knot where the priest places a yoke denoting harmony and coordination on the head of the bride upon a sacred grass and the gold mangalyam ( ceremonial thread). The thali ( ceremonial thread) or Mangal sutra is tied around the bride's neck by the groom as she sits on her father's lap.
Sapthapadi - Seven Steps
Bride & Groom
The bride and groom take seven steps around Agni (sacred fire). An Ammi Kal (grinding stone) is kept by the fire; the groom stops and holds the bride's toe, placing it on the stone. This symbolizes the rock solid foundation of their union. The groom then slips Mettis (silver rings) on his bride's toes. When they return to sit in front of the sacred fire, the bride's brother puts two handfuls of puffed rice in her hands which is then offered to Agni. This ritual is repeated three times, sanctifying and completing the wedding with the couple declared Husband and Wife both socially and religiously.
Arundhati Nakshatra North Star
Bride & Groom
The groom shows the bride the double stars Arundhati-Vasishtha Nakshatra. Arundhati was the wife of Vasishtha, one of the Seven Sages. In Vedic literature, she is the ideal wife and the epitome of chastity and wifely devotion. Arundhati and Vasishtha symbolize marital joy, fulfillment and loyalty. They rotate around each other indicating that both are equals and husband and wife must be in sync. The couple is asked to look up the constellation signifying conjugal love and affection.
Nalangu - Party Games
Bride & Groom
A hilarious Tamil after-wedding ritual, Nalangu is a fun activity done to help the newlyweds get to know each other better and celebrate their wedding. They play games, sing songs and tease each other on this traditional Game . The games include breaking appalams ( Fried chips) over each other's heads, and stealing betel leaves from each other and playing ball with a coconut.
GRIHA PRAVESAM-GOING HOME
Bride & Groom
Grihapravesham or griha pravesh pooja is the entry of the new bride into her in-law's place. Usually, weddings in India, especially in South India are conducted in a marriage hall. A marriage hall is designed in such a way that there are specific rooms for the bride's family and the groom's family. If the groom stays in the same town/city where the wedding is conducted then the newly wedded bride is taken to the in-law's house by her parents.