WEDDING IN INDIA (TAMIL CULTURE)

Tamil marriages are not very showy and extravagant as Tamilians believe in simple living. Tamil people are very particular about their customs and traditions. Tamil weddings are attended by relatives and friends and hence are held on a large scale. There are many wedding rituals which will be carried out before, during and post wedding rituals in the Tamilian marriage. The important Tamil wedding rituals are given below :

BEFORE WEDDING

NICHIYATHARTHAM (ENGAGEMENT)

Nicchiyadhartham is the formal engagement ceremony, where the bride and the groom exchange rings. After this, the reading of Lagna Pathirigai takes place, which is formally announcing the wedding and reading out aloud the wedding invitation, to inform everybody about the formalizing of the alliance.

PANTHA KAAL MUHURTHAM

The wedding rituals begin with Pantha Kaal Muhurtham, wherein the families of the bride and the groom pray to the Lord for an uninterrupted wedding ceremony. After this, the groom is welcomed with the traditional aarti by the bride's side on the day before marriage. He is offered sweets, sprinkled with rose water and even a coconut is broken to ward off any evil. Next is Viratham, which is a small puja organized before marriage.

DURING WEDDING

WEDDING RITUALS

On the day of the wedding, Mangala Snaanam takes place, as per which the bride and the groom take purifying bath. Before the bath, oil and haldi-kumkum are applied to them. After this, the groom heads towards the wedding hall, where he meets the bride.

Then the exchange of garlands takes place between the bride and the groom. This is followed by the Oonjal ritual, wherein the couple is seated on a swing and given milk and banana to eat. Rice balls are used to prevent them from evil eye. This is followed by Kanyadaanam, in which the bride's father gives away his daughter to the groom. After this, Muhurtham ritual takes place wherein the groom ties “Thirumaanggalyam” and puts vermillion to the bride. Subsequently, they take seven rounds and seven vows around the sacred fire called Saptapadi.

POST WEDDING RITUALS

After the wedding, both the families exchange gifts with each other. This is called Sammandhi Mariyathai. Bride leaves with her husband for her marital home after all the ceremonies over. Here, she is welcomed by her new family with the traditional aarathi. In the evening, the Reception party takes place, which is an informal event. The guests meet the newly wed couple and give them blessings. This is followed by sumptuous dinner.




WRITTEN BY - NIVAAHSHNY CALISTA ANN