The magnificence of a Tamilian Wedding

Tamilians are known for their simplicity and elegance even if it is something grand as a wedding. They give a lot of priority to their wedding rituals and traditions and the right manner in which the rituals should be performed. To celebrate the magnificence of Tamilian wedlock, here are the beautiful ceremonies and sacred rituals from the ceremonies in the pipeline.

1. Panda Kaal Muhurtham – Both the Tamilian families offer their prayers to God for a peaceful, joyous and uninterrupted wedding, held a day before the wedlock. 
2. Sumangali Prarthanai – All Sumangalis (married women) are required to wear a traditional nine-yards saree (Madisar) for this pooja. The number of Sumangalis invited for the pooja are always in odd numbers like 3, 5, 7 and 9. After the pooja concludes, Sumangalis bless the bride-to-be and treat with an authentic South Indian feast on a banana leaf.

   

3. Pallikai Thellichal – In this Tamilian ritual, nine types of grains along with curd are mixed and filled into seven earthen pots decorated with sandalwood. These pots later immerse in the water to feed the fishes. It is auspicious for the couple’s journey ahead. 
4. Naandi Srardham – The Tamilian bride and the groom’s families pray to the souls of their ancestors. Ten Brahmins are invited for an authentic South Indian feast by both the set of families. Fruits, coconut, flowers, paan supari, sweets and traditional clothes go as offerings to the Brahmins. 
5. Nichayathartham – This Tamilian ritual begins with a Ganesh puja performed by the bride’s family. The groom’s family then gives the bride a new saree, jewellery and gifts and the bride’s family gifts the groom a new set of clothes. The bride and the groom then exchange rings in the presence of family members and friends.
6. Lagna Pathirikai – This means a wedding invitation. After the engagement ceremony, the official announcement of the wedding date comes in front of the guests by the priest.
7. Mangala Snanam – On the dawn of the wedding day, in the bride and groom’s houses respectively, haldi, kumkum and some oil application happen on the bride and the groom. This is before they take a purifying bath and get ready for the wedlock.  
8. Gauri Puja – This ritual is only for the bride on her wedding day. Once the bride is ready, she offers prayers to Goddess Gauri – a symbol of purity.
9. Kashi Yatra – The groom pretends that he does not want to marry, and is going away on a holy pilgrimage to Kashi. He takes along a walking stick and a few bare essentials like an umbrella, slippers etc. for his journey. At this time, the bride’s father stops him and tries to persuade him towards married life, and offers to have his daughter married to him. The groom then agrees and goes to the mandap.
10. Pada Puja – The bride’s mother washes the groom’s feet with water, Chandan and kumkum. After which the bride has to go to the mandap.
11. Maalai Matral – The bride and the groom exchange flower garlands three times to begin their holy union.

    

12. Oonjal – In this ritual, married ladies of the family offer some milk and banana to the bride and groom while they sit on a swing. Rice balls are thrown around them as a symbol to ward off evil. 
13. Kanyadanam – The bride’s father hands over his daughter to the groom for eternity. And, the groom gives assurance to her parents that he will take care of the bride always.
14. Muhurtham – With this, all the wedding rituals come to an end. The groom applies sindoor on the bride’s hair parting and ties a mangalsutra around her neck.
15. Saptapadi – The Tamilian bride and the groom take seven sacred rounds around the fire in this ritual. There is also another ritual in which the groom holds the left toe of the bride and helps her to tread on a grindstone kept near the ritual fire. This symbolises their holy union, which will be as solid as a rock. 
16. Sammandhi Mariyathai – This is the first post-wedding ritual where both families give each other gifts as a token of love and appreciation. The bride then leaves her parental home and sets out on a journey to her new home with her husband.
17. Grihapravesham – The Tamilian bride and groom reach the groom’s house. Groom’s mother welcomes the couple by performing a small aarti. 
18. Valeyadal – This ritual is always an ice-breaking session between the bride and the groom, enjoying fun wedding games. 

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