A South Indian Wedding

The Rituals and the Rationale

Welcome

The gates of the wedding hall are adorned with full-grown plantain trees, signifying evergreen plenty for endless generations. Overhead festoons of mango leaves signify the never fading relationship to begin here. Notes of nadaswaram heard loud and clear to signify the union here is sacred and divine. Kolam or rangoli designs at the doorsteps match the mood of the occasion, beckoning a hearty welcome to the well wishers who arrive for the function. At the threshold of the hall, sprinkling of rose water perfumes the visitors. Offering of flowers to women express a wish of sowbhayam for the lady guest. The sugar candy brings forth the sweetness of happy event that the visitor has arrived to take part in.

The Evening Before The Wedding

The evening prior to the wedding day, the bridegroom is brought in a procession from a temple in a flower-decorated vehicle. He is escorted by the bride’s parents and welcomed at the marriage mandap. This is a social function called ‘Janna Vasam’ in south 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 bethoral ceremony signifying the agreement between the families for the proposed alliance.

The Day Of The Wedding

The Preliminary Invocations

Ganapathi Puja - During a marriage, Ganapathi, the God, the remover of obstacles is invoked to keep away all impediments for such an auspicious function.

Navagraha puja is performed to propitiate the nine astral planets that rule over man's destinies.

Vratham - The marriage ceremonies begin with vratham performed separately by the bride and the groom. For the bride, it means the tying of the kappu, the holy thread on her wrists, which is meant to ward off all evil sprits. It symbolizes a kind of protective armor for the bride.

For the groom vratham begins with invocations involving the Gods Indra, Soma, Chandra and Agni. From thereon the groom prepares himself for a new chapter in his life as a householder or grihasta. The days of his bachelorhood or brahmacharya are over now. The acceptance of his is all what the vratham is about.

Kasi Yatra - This is a very important part of the ceremony. Immediately after his student life, the young bachelor has two alternatives before him – Grihasta or Sanyas. Being by nature in a satwic state due to strict adherence of bachelorhood and observance of austerities, he is drawn towards asceticism. Therefore he makes his way to Kasi, complete with slippers, umbrella, a fan made of bamboo etc. On his way the bride’s father intervenes and advises him of the superiority of married life to an ascetic life. He also promises to give his daughter as companion to face the challenges of life. The umbrella is to remain with the groom, to remind him in the future of this advice. As promised his wife stands by him in his life.

Malai Mathal - The bride and groom are lifted to the shoulders of their respective maternal uncles. This is an expression of continuing sibling support to their mothers. And in that position the two garland each other thrice for a complete union. In the shastras, the exchange of garlands symbolizes their unification, as one soul in two bodies. It is inward acceptance by each of the very fragrance in the other.

Oonchal - The marrying couple is seated on a swing. They rock forth and back, as women sing songs to praise the couple. The bride and groom are given a sweet concoction of milk, sugar and bananas to eat. Water and lighted lamps are circulated around the swing in order to guard against demons and ghosts. Colored globules of cooked rice are waved in a circular motion and thrown away to propitiate the evil spirits.

The chains of the swing signify the eternal karmic link with the Almighty. The to and fro motion represents the undulating sea-waves of life. Yet in mind and body they shall move in harmony – steady and stable.

Pallikai Seeds Sowing - This is a fertility rite. Pallikais are earthern pots prepared a day earlier. Pots spread at the base with hariali grass and Bael leaves (vilvam). Nine kinds of presoaked cereals are ceremoniously sown in these pots by sumangalis. After the marriage, the sprouted seedlings are released in a river or pool. This ritual invokes the blessing of the eight direction quartered guardian angels (Ashtadikh Paalaks) for a healthy life and progeny to the couple.