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 girls 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 brides mother washing the grooms 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 brides father
heartily welcomes his son-in-law. The girls mother puts Kajal in his eyes.
Following that, her father washes the feet of his son-in-law. The girl then sits on
her fathers lap holding a coconut in her hands. Thereafter, they offer the
coconut to the bridegroom. Meanwhile, the brides mother puts water little by
little over the coconut. This gesture represents the Kanyaadaan of their loving
daughter. The boys 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 girls 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 girls neck
and ties two knots. Usually, the boys 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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