Notes
Nadaswaram : Traditional South Indian music ensemble including the tavil (drum), nadaswaram (a sort of wind instrument) and small cymbals.
Kolam or Rangoli : Designs made on the floor with rice flour paste
Sowbhayam : Literally meaning good fortune. It is intended to be the good fortune of never being widowed.
Mandap : A structure or building where the marriage is conducted.
Puja : Prayer or worship
Navagraha : The nine planets (Nava : nine, Graha : planets)
Vratham : Rituals
Kappu : Holy thread
Indra : The King of the Gods. He is the one who rules swarga or heaven.
Soma : The Moon God
Chandra : The Moon
Agni : The Fire God
Grihasta : Householder
Brahmacharya : Bachelorhood
Kasi Yatra : Travel or pilgrimage to Kasi
Sanyas : Asceticism
Satwic : Holy and pure state of body and mind.
Kasi : The most holy place of pilgrimage for a devout Hindu
Malai Mathal : Exchange of Garlands
Shastras : The holy scriptures
Oonchal : Swing
Karmic : Pertaining to karma or deeds
Pallikais : A kind of earthen pot in which seeds and leaves are sown as part of a fertility ritual
Sumangalis : Women who are not widowed.
Vara : Groom
Mangal Sutra : The ornament worn by the bride on a long chain around the neck. Mangal Sutra literally means Auspicious Bond. The Mangal Sutra in South India is akin to the wedding ring of the west. It is also called Thali.
Tulasi madam : Tulasi i.e. basil which has several medicinal properties is considered to be very holy. The courtyard of every household is supposed to have a ‘madam’ (pronounce as ma - as in mother, dum - as in dumbell) or planter in which tulasi is grown. This is worshipped daily in most South Indian households.
Shiva lingam : The phallic symbol which represents Lord Shiva whose abode is Mount Kailas on the Himalayan Mountains.
Goddess Meenakshi : The manifestation of Shakti and consort of Lord Shiva.
Kanya : Girl or literally virgin girl
Danam : Gift
Darbha : Dried grass
Kusa grass : A variety of grass that is considered to be sacred
Mantras : A holy incantation or chant
Sari : The dress worn by women which is a long piece of cloth that is draped around. The sari is of various lengths and is worn in various ways through out the country. The most common one is 6 yards long with most of it going around like a skirt and a long part of it hanging over the shoulder.
Koorai : Sari worn in a style that, according to tradition, can be worn only by married women. This is 9 yards long and is worn in a style that goes loosely between the legs. The long drape that is left over is then wound around the upper part of the body.
Sumangali Bhagyam : the good fortune of never being widowed.
Gandharva : Celestial angels who are famed for their good looks.
Kankana : or kankanam - Literally means wrist ornament : a bangle or a bracelet
Dhaaranam : Literally means wearing
Mangalya : Another name for Mangal Sutra
Devas : Gods
Saptha : Literally means seven
Padhi : Steps
Sama and Rig : Sama and Rig are two of the four Vedas.
Pala Dhanam : Gift giving
Homam : Sacrifice
Ghee : Clarified Butter
Saptha Rishi : Literally Seven Sages
Maharishi : Maharishi literally means great sage. Vashishta was one of the great sages from Vedic times.
Dhruva : renowned for his single-minded devotion to God and hence was given the boon of becoming the never moving pole star.
Akshadai : Blessing given by elders when grains of rice are showered on whomever is seeking blessings.
Graha Pravesham : Literally means entering the house. A ritual whereby the bride goes to her new home i.e. her husband’s home for the first time.
Nalangu : A session for fun and games
Papad : A wafer like fried snack made of rice and other lentils.
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