Monday, October 12, 2020

South Indian Weddings

 Kannada Wedding

Kannada marriages are the weddings conducted in the state of Karnataka. In performance, Kannada marriage resembles the traditional Hindu marriage. However, the customs and traditions observed do differ according to the region they are practiced in. As a matter of act of fact there is not much difference and the rituals are simple. This provides ample opportunity to the families to enjoy the occasion. Given below are the wedding rituals of a Kannada wedding.

Pre Wedding Rituals
In Karnataka, the pre wedding rituals commence with Naandi custom. It is performed by both the bride and the groom in their houses. It is done to ensure the marriage takes place uninterruptedly. The next is Kaashi Yatre tradition. It is an interesting ritual, wherein the groom pretends of leaving for Kashi as he is devoid of a suitable bride. He only stops when his maternal uncle shows him the bride he has chosen for him. Just before the groom leaves for the bride's village, all the items for marriage are placed in front of Lord anesha to seek his blessings. This is called Dev Karya ceremony. After this, both the bride and the groom are applied turmeric paste.

Wedding Rituals
On the wedding day the first ritual is Mandap puja, according to which the mandap and the hall where the wedding is to be conducted are purified. After this the bride's father worships the groom by washing his feet. This is known as Var puja. This is followed by bride's entry to the mandap. Here, they exchange garlands on the chant of holy mantras. Next is the Dhare Herdu custom, wherein the bride's parents give away her daughter to the groom, by placing a coconut and betel over their hands and pouring holy water. Then the groom ties mangalsutra around bride's neck. After this, Saptapadi ceremony is held and the couple takes seven rounds around the sacred fire.

Post Wedding Rituals
After the wedding, when the bride comes to her marital home, she is given a warm welcome by her in-laws. A vessel filled with rice is kept at the entrance of the house and she is asked to knock it inside the house, with her right foot. After this, the bride enters the house and this is called Griha Pravesh. After this is the name change ceremony, in which the groom decides a name for his wife. He then inscribes it with a ring on a plate, containing rice. 

On the second day after marriage, the bride's parents visit the newly wed couple. They then take the couple to their home along with themselves. The couple stays there for some days after which the groom's family goes to the bride's house to take them back. The Reception party concludes the wedding, which is organized in a banquet hall by the groom's family. The main aim of this party is introduction of the bride, enjoyment, and relishing mouth watering delicacies.


Tamilian Wedding

Tamil marriages are not very showy and extravagant as Tamilians believe in simple living. Tamil people are very particular about their customs and traditions. However, Tamil weddings are attended by distant relatives and friends and hence are held on a large scale. There are many wedding rituals which are observed by them, without which the marriage is deemed incomplete. The important Tamil wedding rituals are given below.

Pre Wedding Rituals
The wedding rituals begin with Panda 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 Vratham, which is a small puja organized before marriage. Following this is Pallikai Thellichal ceremony, as per which grains are sprouted in earthen pots, which are later immersed in a pond to feed the fishes.

The next ritual is Naandi, in which Brahmins are given gifts and sweets to seek their blessings for the wedding alliance. Nicchiyadharatham is the formal engagement ceremony, wherein 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.

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. Another interesting ritual is Kashi Yatra, wherein the groom threatens everyone to leave for Kashi and lead a life of ascetic. He is stopped by the bride's father, who promises to give his daughter to her. After this, the groom heads towards the mandap, 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, Muhurtum ritual takes place wherein the groom ties mangalsutra 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. After all the wedding ceremonies are over, the bride leaves with her husband for her marital home. Here, she is welcomed by her new family with the traditional aarti. This is known as Grihapravesham. 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.


Telugu Wedding

Telugu marriage is accomplished strictly in accordance with the age old customs and traditions. For this reason, it even bears resemblance with Hindu and Tamil weddings. One of the special features of Telugu culture is that the bride or wife is given utmost importance in the society. She is referred to as the ardhangini or the better half of her husband. No religious ritual is deemed complete without her participation. To know more about the Telugu wedding rituals, read on.

Pre Wedding Rituals
First and foremost the Muhurtam ritual takes place, in which the auspicious time is decided for conducting the wedding. Next is Pendlikoothuru ritual, wherein oil and turmeric is applied to the bride, after which she is given a bath. After this the Snathakam ritual is observed, as per which a silver thread is worn by the groom. This is followed by the fun filled ritual of Kashi Yatra, as per which the groom pretends to leave for Kashi but he is interrupted by the bride's brother, who promises to give him his sister in the alliance.

On the day of the wedding, the bride and the groom perform the Mangala Snaanam ritual, in which they take holy purifying bath. After the bath, they are anointed with oil and traditional aarti is performed. Following this is Gauri puja, which is done by the bride to seek the blessings of Mother Goddess. After this, the groom performs Ganesh puja in the mandap at the wedding venue, before marriage and requests the Lord to remove all obstacles.

Wedding Rituals
In the mandap, the bride is brought by her maternal uncle. The couple has a curtain between them as the priest recited mantras. After this, the Kanyadaan ritual is performed by the father of the bride. He washes the feet of the groom and gives his daughter to him. The curtain is removed at the time of tying the Mangalsutra ritual. 

The groom ties a mangalsutra around the bride's neck with thee knots. After this the couple exchanges garlands and are showered by flowers and yellow colored rice. This is called Kanya Daan Akshata ceremony. Next, the Saptapadi ritual takes place, wherein the couple takes seven rounds and vows around the sacred fire. Subsequently, the groom slips silver toe rings on bride's feet. This ritual is called Sthaalipaakam.

Post Wedding Rituals
After the wedding ceremonies are over, the bride leaves for her marital house, along with the groom. On reaching the groom's house, the newly wed couple is welcomed by his parents. The bride enters the house for the first time, which is called the Grihapravesh ceremony.

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