Traditional Kerala Wedding

Tamil Brahmin Wedding

A Hindu Wedding Ceremony is a celebration of the union of two families that is renowned for its many customs and rituals. They are not merely a spectacle; a ritual is a creative action that has meaning and which time has set its seal of approval. However, many perform them today without understanding the symbolic meaning behind each of them. Let us take a look through these various traditions:

Pandhal Kaal Muhurtham – The bride’s family pray to the deity who is symbolically represented by a bamboo pole, for the wedding preparations to go on without hassle. This is usually done a few days or atleast one day before the wedding.
Paalikal Seed Sowing – This is done by the bride’s family the day before the wedding. Five/Nine kinds of pre-soaked cereals are ceremonially sown, and after the marriage the sprouts are released in a river or pool.
Welcoming the Groom – The groom and his family are welcomed by the bride’s family with flowers, vetrilai, pakku and fruits. Sometimes a coconut is also broken to keep evil spirits away.
Vratham – It signifies the beginning of the marriage ceremonies. The bride ties a holy thread called Kappu around her wrist which symbolises a protective shield from bad spirits. The Gods Indra, Soma, Chandra and Agni protect the groom.
Naandhi – The souls of the ancestors of the bride and groom are represented by Brahmins, who are honoured with gifts and sweets. Their blessings are sought before the marriage begins.
Jaana Vaasam – The groom is brought in a procession from the temple in a flower decorated car on the evening before the wedding day. He is accompanied by the parents of the bride and welcomed at the marriage mandapam where the marriage ceremony takes place. 
Nichchiyadhartham – Ganesh Pooja is performed by the bride’s family and the groom’s family gifts her a new saree. Aarti is also performed on her.
Lagna Pathrigai – The wedding Invitation is formally read out by the priest which includes the lineage of the groom and bride from three generations, other information on the muhurtham and the venue.
Mangala Snaanam – At the dawn of the wedding day, both the bride and groom take a purifying bath from their respective homes. 
Ganapathi Puja – To symbolise the inauguration of the marriage ceremony, Ganapathi, the God of Initiation is invoked.
Navagraha Puja – This done to please the nine astral planets that control destiny.
Kasi Yatra – The groom announces that he is going to Kashi to become a sadhu. When he leaves, the bride’s father goes after him and convinces him to settle in marriage with his daughter instead. 
Vaaku Nichaya Muhurtham – The fathers of the bride and groom face each other and solemnise the betrothal ceremony, while hymns are chanted by the vedic priest. 
Exchanging Garlands – A fun ceremony where the uncles of the bride and groom lift them on their shoulders and playfully garland each other thrice. This represents their unification. 
Oonjal – The bride and groom are seated on a swing or oonjal and rocked forth and back. This shows they shall move through the ups and downs of life together steadily.
Vara Puja – Spoonfuls of milk and banana pieces are fed to the couple by married women from their families while they are on the swing. The groom’s feet are washed with milk and dried off with silk.
Welcoming the Groom to the Mandapam – The bride’s father welcomes the groom to the mandapam where a sacred fire is lit; the marriage ceremonies are conducted around it. 
Kanya Dhaanam – The bride is seated on her father’s lap. In this ceremony, he “gives her away” to the groom, chanting mantras as he does so.
Kankana Dharanam – A piece of turmeric bound by a string is tied around the wrist of the groom by the bride. It is only after this that he has the right to touch her.
Maangalya Dharanam – At the auspicious hour, the golden Thaali is tied around the neck of the bride. Three knots are made, the first by the groom and the other two by his sisters, symbolising that the bride is now part of their family.
Paani Grahanam – It means “holding hands”. The bride and groom hold hands until the mantras are over.
Saptha Padhi – This is the most important part of the marriage ceremony. While the bride and groom hold hands, they walk seven steps or saptha padhi together. The marriage is recognised as complete legally only after this is done. 
Pradhaana Homam – The sacred fire represents the fire god Agni. The fire is fed with ghee and twigs from nine different trees. The fumes that arise are said to cleanse the bodies of the couple.
Sammandhi Mariyaadhai – The families of the newly wed couple exchange clothes and other gifts.
Laaja Moham – The couple walk around the fire three times, and feed it parched rice three times. The bride’s family may also do so, for the bond between the families to continue even after marriage.
Akshadai shower – Rice grains coated with turmeric or Akshadai are showered on the couple by their elders.
Paladhaanam – The bride and groom together go around seeking blessings of their elders by prostrating in front of them and offering gifts. 
Griha Pravesam – With the fire from the Laaja Moham, the bride leaves her home and enters the house of the groom’s family. 
Nalangu – The wide calls her husband out to play with a song. They then partake in a number of fun activities that are meant to bring out their qualities of cooperativeness. The women from their family usually poke fun at them as they do so.
Wedding Reception – An informal occasion like any other wedding. The guests come up to wish the couple and their families. 
The 3 Homams – Jayaathi homam to please Gandharvas and deities, Pravesha homam solemnizes the bride’s entry into her in-law’s home and Sesha homam, where a little of the residual ghee from the fire is sprinkled on the head of the bride
Thamboola Charvanam – The ceremonial first betel is given by the bride’s brother to the couple. Other gifts are also given to bless the couple with children.
Mangala Arathi – A mixture of turmeric and lime in water is prepared in a plate and sprinkled around to ward off the evil eye. This is done many times during the marriage ceremony as well.
Kattu Saadham – The next day, the groom’s family leaves the venue and return home. The bride’s family provide them with packed food and condiments to have on their journey.