south indian weddding

8/11/2019 South Indian Weddding

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SanathanaDharma.com

SOUTH INDIAN WEDDING(Thanks to all those who helped us in compiling this article )

THE RITUALS AND THE RATIONALEAS YOU ENTER YOU SEE..../ USHERING-IN OF THE BRIDEGROOM/ GANAPATIPUJA/ NANDI DEVATA PUJA/ NAVAGRAHA PUJA /VRATHAM/ KASI YATRA/VAAKU NICHAYA MUHOORTHAM/ EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS/ OONCHAL /

PAALIKAI- SEEDS SOWING/VARA PUJA/ KANYA DHAANAM/THE BRIDEGROOMSASSURANCE/ KANKANA DHARANAM/ MAANGALYA DHARANAM/ PAANI

GRAHANAM/ SAPTHA PADHI/ PRADHAANA HOMAM/TREADING ON THEGRINDSTONE/ SHOWING HER THE "ARUNDHATI " STAR/ LAAJA HOMAM /

SHOWERING OF AKSHADAI/ GRIHA PRAVESAM/ NALUNGU/THE NIGHT TIMEHOMAMS /THAAMBOOLA CHARVANAM & BALA DHAANAM/ MANGALA ARATHI/

SHANTI MUHOORTHAM

THE RITUALS AND THE RATIONALE

The Hindu Wedding Ceremony has a number of rituals and customs most of which are often labelledas superstitious or time wasting. It is believed to be nothing but rituals more rituals. But have weasked ourselves what a " Ritual " is? A ritual begins as a creative rational action to express a sentimentor idea like the lighting of lamp to dispel darkness at twilight or folding of hands into a "Namaste"to greet an elder. As more and more people succeeding generation repeat the action it becomes aconvention then a RITUAL. A ritual is thus an action on which time has set its seal of approval.

The Ritual of the Hindu Wedding too is each symbolic of beautiful and noble sentiments.Unfortunately today many parents and couples perform them without an awareness of the richmeaning behind them.

A modest attempt has therefore been made to briefly describe the meaning and significance of therituals of a Tamil Brahmin Wedding. Mostly this are applicable to any other Hindu section. For theelders, this information may be superfluous but it is hoped the younger generation, especially thoseyet to be married, may find this useful.

So let us take you around . . . . .

As you enter you see . . .

Full-grown plantain trees tied to both the gateposts Eternal tree of evergreen plenty for

endless generations!

Festoons overhead of mango leaves, and screw-pine petals that never fade!

Notes of the Nadaswaram, the South Indian Shehnai!

Kolam or Rangoli designs at the doorsteps an artistic welcome!At threshold of the hall, sprinklings of rosewater, offerings of flower, sandal batter, sugar

candy!

THE EVENING PREVIOUS TO THE MARRIAGE DAY

USHERING-IN OF THE BRIDEGROOM


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On the evening prior to the wedding day, the bridegroom is to be brought in a procession from atemple in a flower decorated car. He is escorted by the brides parents, and welcome at the marriagemandap, which is the brides abode. Nadaswaram band leads the way along the streets, the flowerdecorated car jam-packed with children.

This is a social function, called JANA VASAM in South India and BARAAT in North 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 ceremony of betrothal.

ON THE WEDDING DAY

THE PRELIMINARY INVOCATION

GANAPATI PUJA

As in an inauguration of any function so also in a marriage Ganapati, the God of Initiation isinvoked, to keep away all impediments.

NANDI DEVATA PUJA

There are several presiding deities the Nandi Devatas. To propitiate them, a leaf-laden branch of thepipal tree is installed, and an ablution with milk is performed by five Sumangalis (housewife, withhusband living). This puja is followed by a presentation of a dhothi, and a saree to the marryingcouple.

NAVAGRAHA PUJA

This is performed to propitiate the nine astral planets that rule over mans destiny.

VRATHAMThe marriage ceremonies begin with the Vratham performed separately by the bride and the groom.For the bride, it means the tying of the KAPPU the holy thread on her wrist which is meant to wardoff all evil spirits. It symbolises a kind of the protective armour for the bride. For the groom, thevarious Gods Indra, Soma, Chandra, Agni. From there on, the groom prepares himself for a newchapter in his life as a householder or Grihasta. The days of his bachelorhood or brahmacharya arenow over and the acceptance of this is all what the Vratham is about.

KASI YATRA

This a very important part of the ceremony. Immediately after his student-life, the young bachelor hastwo alternatives before him Married life ( Grihasta ) or asceticism ( Sanyas ). Being by nature

escapist, he prefers the ascetic life to the tribulations of married life. He therefore makes his way tokasi (VARANASI), complete with slippers, umbrella, bamboo fan etc. On his way, the brides fatherintervenes and advises him of the superiority of married life to ascetic life. He also promises to givehim his daughter as companion to face the challenge of life. The umbrella is to remain with groom, toremind him in the future, of this advice.the real tradition.

(However there are different view points on this aspect. Given below is an observation by Sri.Narayan of Malaysia :

During the wedding ceremony the groom is welcomed as Mahavishnu Svarupaya varahaya ie maha

vishnu himself ( or the Siva the equivalent in the Adi Saiva tradition ) and the bride as Lakshmi.Thence , it is imperative he knows no sin, thence he needs to perform a yatra to kashi , submerge inGanges and comes and does the wedding purified.

In the days of yore , when a man after education takes a yatra like this ( it takes up some months,


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sometimes a year on foot) , he gets to see the world , otherwise which he would not have been exposedto , thence from Brahmacharya , before moving to grahasta ashrama he come experienced andpurified, disiplined ( goal oriented) and fit to take up the challenges of married life. And those daysthe groom would have been engaged ( nischya dartha) , and proceeds on this yatra and is welcomedback after the father in-law etc after coming back, with this words Maha Vishnu Svarupaya, and giventhe kanya dhana.

Samnyasa and Grathasta ashrama are both pillars of the society , which is still relevant and have

positive contributions to society.This has to be clearly understood.

Narayan, Malaysia )

VAAKU NICHAYA MUHOORTHAM

At the marriage hall, the brides father and the bridegrooms father facing each other, solemnise thefinal betrothal ceremony, the vedic priest chanting the relevant hymns-in which the names of thebride, the bridegroom, as well as the names of their three generations of ancestors, are cited inpresence of friends, relatives, and invitees.

The manthras say : "O God Varuna, Be she harmless to my brothers and sisters!Oh Brihaspathi!Mayshe no evil to her husband!O Lord Indra!Bless her to be a good guardian of her children!O Surya!

Bless her with all wealths!"

EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS

The bride and the groom are lifted to the shoulders of their respective uncles; and in that position thetwo garland each other thrice for a complete union. A garland worn by a person, should not be usedby another, ordain our shastras. Here the exchange of garlands symbolises their unification as onesoul in two bodies. It is inward acceptance by each of the very fragrance of the other.

OONCHAL

SWING, RIDE AND SINGING OF LAALI

Then, the marrying couple is seated on a swing ( OONCHAL); they rock forth and back, as the ladiesaround sing LAALI, songs to praise to the couple. The chains of the swing signify the eternalKarmic link with Almighty above; the to-and-fro motion represent the undulating sea-waves of life;yet, in mind and body they shall move in harmony unperturbed, steady and stable.

PAALIKAI SEEDS SOWING

This is fertility rite. Paalikais are earthen pots prepared a day earlier pots spread at the base withhariali grass and Bael leaves (Vilvam); nine kinds of pre-soaked cereals are ceremonially sown in

these pots by Sumangalis. After the marriage, the sprouted seedlings are released in a river or pool.This ritual invokes the blessings of the eight-direction-quartered guardian angles, for a healthy lifeand progeny to the couple.

VARA PUJA

The feet of the bridegroom is washed in milk, and wiped off with silk.

Water, and lighted lamps are circulated around the swing in order to guard the couple against demonsand ghosts.

Coloured globules of cooked rice are waved in circular motion, and thrown away to propitiate the

evil spirits.

KANYA DHAANAM

The bride is made to sit on her fathers lap and is given away as gift by him, to the bridegroom.


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On the girls head, a ring made with Kusa, the sacred grass called DARBHA, is placed, and over it, isplaced a yoke; the Gold Mangal Sutra ( or THAALI ) is placed right on the aperture of the yoke, andwater is poured through the aperture. The Mantras chanted at this time, say:

"Let this gold multiply your wealth!Let this water purify your married life, and may your prosperity

increase. Offer yourself to your husband!"

The bride then is given an auspicious ablution, and an exclusive new KOORAI Saree is draped around

her this is done by the sister of the bridegroom.

To bride in her new saree, a belt made of reed-grass is tied around the waist. The manthras chant:

"She standeth here, pure before the holy fire, as one blessed with boons of a good mind, a healthybody, life-long companionship of her husband ( Sumangali Bhagyam ) and children with long life.She standeth as one who is avowed to stand by her husband virtuously. Be she tied with this red-grass

rope, to the sacrament of marriage!"

Thanks giving vedic hymns follow to the celestial caretakers of her childhood: the Deities of SOMA,

GANDHARVA and AGNI. Having attained nobility, the girl is now free to be given over to the careof the human her man.

The Vedic concepts underlying this ritual is figuratively this: that in her infant stage, SOMA hadgiven her coolness of the moon, and strength; in the next stage, GANDHARVA had given her bodilybeauty; and lastly AGNI gave her passions.

The father of the bride, while offering his daughter chants: "I offer ye my daughter, a maiden virtuous,good-natured, very wise, decked with ornaments to the best of my ability-; that she shall guard the

Dharma, Wealth, and Love!"

THE BRIDEGROOMS ASSURANCEThus offering her daughter, her father gets a word of assurance three times that the bridegroom shall

remain for ever her companion in joy and sorrow in this life, and after death too!

KANKANA DHARANAM

The bride ties a string fastened to a piece of turmeric, around the wrist of the bridegroom to bindthemselves by a religious vow. It is only after tying the Kankanam that the bridegroom gets the rightto touch the bride. A little later, the bridegroom ties a Kankanam on the brides wrist.

MAANGALYA DHARANAM

Next, timed to exact auspicious hour, is the tying of the Mangala Sutra ( Thaali ). The bride seatedover a sheaf of grain-laden hay, looking eastward, and the bridegroom facing westward, ties the goldMangala Sutra around the neck of the bride. As he does so, the Nadaswaram drums are beaten loudand fast, so as to muffle any inauspicious sounds at the critical hour. This is called Getti Melam; as it

sounds, the Sumangali ladies sing "GOURI KALYANAME, VAIBHOGAMAY!"

Three knots are tied the first one by the bridegroom, the other two knots by his sister to make thebride a parts of the boys family. The Vedic hymn recited by the bridegroom when he ties the knot, is:" Praying the Almighty that I be blessed with a long life, I tie this knot around your neck, ohsoubhaygavati, may providence bestow on you a fulfilling life of a Sumangalis for a hundred years

to come!"

PAANI GRAHANAM

This means "holding hands". The groom holds the hand of the bride. The Manthras say: The Devashave offered you to me in order that I may live the life of a householder ( GRIHASTA ); we shall not


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part from each other even after we grow old!"

SAPTHA PADHI

Holding the brides hand, the bridegroom walks seven steps with her. This is the most important partof the marriage ceremony, and only when they walk seven steps together ( i.e. perform SAPTHAPADHI ) is the marriage complete legally. The belief is that when one walks 7 steps with another, onebecomes the anothers friend. The manthras recited then, mean: "Ye who have walked seven stepswith me, become my companion, where by I acquire your friendship. We shall remain together

inseparable. Let us make a vow together; we shall share love, share the same food, and share thestrength, the same tastes. We shall be of one mind, we shall observe the vow together. I shall be theSAMA, you the RIG: I shall be the Upper World, you the earth; I shall be the SUKHILAM, you the

HOLDER together we shall live, beget children, and other riches, come thou, O sweet-worded girl!"

PRADHAANA HOMAM

A crucial part of the wedding is the homage paid by the couple to AGNI, the fire- God. They circlearound the fire, and feed it with ghee, and twigs of nine types of trees, as sacrificial fuel. The fumesthat arise, are supposed to possess medicinal, curative and cleansing effects on the bodies of the

couple.

AGNI, the mightiest power in the cosmos, the sacred purifier, the all-round benefactor, is deemed as awitness to the marriage (AGNI SAAKSHI )

TREADING ON THE GRINDSTONE

Holding the brides left foot toe, the bridegroom helps her tread on a grindstone kept on the right sideof the fire. The Manthras says: "Mount up this stone. Let thy mind be roc-firm, unperturbed, by the

trials and tribulations of life!"

SHOWING HER THE "ARUNDHATI " STAR

Next he shows her the Star ARUNDHATI ( of the SAPTHA RISHI Constellation ), as also DHRUVAthe polestar. Arundhati, the wife of VASISHTA Mahrishi, is exemplified as an ideal wife, theembodiment of chastity. DHRUVA is the one who attained immortality through single-mindeddevotion and perseverance virtues to be emulated through out married life.

LAAJA HOMAM

This shall comprise the brides own offering to the sacrificial fire. As she is forbidden to do it herself,her brother helps her. He gives her a handful of parched rice grains which she hands to bridegroomwho on her behalf, feeds it into the fire. Through this food offering, the bride seeks a long life for herhusband, and propagation of the family. Participation of the brides family members indicates the

continuance of links between the two families, even after marriage. The couple circle around the fire,three times, and the feeding of the fire with parched rice, is repeated thrice.

SHOWERING OF AKSHADAI

Akshadai, i.e. rice-grains coated with turmeric and saffron, are showered on the couple, by elders andinvitees as benediction.

GRIHA PRAVESAM

Taking with her, fire from the Laaja Homam, the bride takes leave of her home, and enters the newhome of her in-laws. The vedic hymns now sound likes the mothers words of advice to her daughter:"Be the queen of your husbands home. May your husband glorify your virtues; conduct yourself insuch a way that you win your mother-in-laws love, and be in the good books of your sisters-in-law."

NALUNGU

The evening of the marriage day is the time to relax and play. The newly wed wife calls her husbandfor play, inviting him through a song. Much to the merriment of one and all gathered, there follows


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list of playful items: the bride anointing the grooms feet with colour paste ; fanning him, showinghim a mirror; breaking papads over each others head; wrenching the betel pack from each othershand; rolling the coconut from one to another as in ball-play; and so on. During these items, the ladiessing songs poking fun at the bride, groom and the in-laws.

These events brings out many qualities of the bride and the groom sporting spirit, kindness, strength,co-operative nature etc.

THE NIGHT TIME HOMAMS

THE JAYAATHI HOMAM is performed to propitiate the Gandharvas and deities.PRAVESA HOMAM is done to solemnise the brides entry in to the husbands home. Thesacrificial fire is brought along by the bride.SESHA HOMAM is Fire oblation with the residual ghee, a little of which is sprinkled on thebrides head four times.

THAAMBOOLA CHARVANAM & BALA DHAANAM

The girls brother gives the ceremonial first betel to the couple to chew. Certain other gifts are madeto bless the couple with children and long life.

MANGALA ARATHI

A solution of lime and turmeric powder, and in colour, is prepared on a plate, and circled around, andthrown away to ward off evil eye. This is done a number of times during the entire weddingceremony, and at the end.

SHANTI MUHOORTHAM

The consummation of the marriage at night the nuptials!

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