SOULFUL RITUALS OF THE TAMIL WEDDING

Traditions and customs are of prime importance for the people of Tamil Nadu and they do it in the most elegant manner. Though Tamil wedding rituals vary from community to community, a few basic customs remain the same. It is seen that for inviting guests they use a traditional Tamil wedding invitation card that reflects the beauty of their customs. Let us have a look at the steps involved in a majority of Tamil weddings.

MANGALA SNAANAM

The big day dawns with the bride and groom taking Mangala Snaanam in their respective homes. Before the bath, they are applied oil, turmeric and Kumkum. The bath is normally organized at a favorable hour and it is said to bring good luck to the couple and their families.

GAURI PUJA

After the holy bath, the bride prays to Goddess Gauri who symbolizes purity and austerity. The Puja is normally done by single girls in order to get good husbands.

KASHI YATRA

This is an interesting ritual wherein the groom pretends as if he is leaving for Kashi and he is not interested in family life. The girl’s father then persuades him to take care of his daughter by accepting her as his wife. Then, the groom moves ahead to the wedding Pandal where his beautiful bride is waiting for him. This wonderful custom is called kashi yatra.

PADA PUJA

The ritual involves the bride’s mother washing the groom’s feet using water, Kumkum and Chandan. Following the Pada Puja, the bride is called. Usually, her maternal uncle accompanies her to the Mandap.

MAALAI MAATRAL & OONJAL

In traditional Tamil nuptial, the groom exchanges the garlands with the bride three times. This custom is usually fun for the couple as well as the guests. After that, both are seated on a swing. Married women in the family offer the newlywed couple banana pieces to eat and a spoonful of milk to drink.

KANYADAANAM & MUHURTHAM

The groom reaches the mandap or the marriage hall where the bride’s father heartily welcomes his son-in-law. The girl’s mother puts Kajal in his eyes. Following that, her father washes the feet of his son-in-law. The girl then sits on her father’s lap holding a coconut in her hands. Thereafter, they offer the coconut to the bridegroom. Meanwhile, the bride’s mother puts water little by little over the coconut. This gesture represents the Kanyaadaan of their loving daughter. The boy’s parents present their daughter-in-law with a nine-yard silk sari.

MUHURTHAM

The bride wears the sari and enters the mandap. A sack full of paddy is kept and the girl’s father is asked to sit on it. The priest and the guests touch and bless the Mangalsutra. Following that, a sacred yellow thread to which the Mangalsutra is tied is given to the bridegroom. He puts it around the girl’s neck and ties two knots. Usually, the boy’s sister ties the third one. What these three knots represent is the union of body, mind and spirit. When the knot is tied, the sound of the Melam (traditional musical instrument) is at its maximum.

SAPTAPADI

The bridegroom takes the right hand of his wife in his left hand leading her seven times around the holy fire. In every round, the girl touches her feet firmly to the grindstone believing the nuptial will last forever.

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