Bridal Sutra - Kerala Hindu Wedding

By Renji

A very big hello..hi to all wonderful readers of IBJ....
''Marriages are made in heaven''.....and We are celebrating it on earth...The basis of blessed and happy  married life is the Unity, Intimacy and Love between husband and wife both physically, mentally and spiritually. Hence wife is considered to be the Ardhangani of husband as per Hindu tradition. Marriages are therefore  considered as the bonding between two families not two individuals alone. Married life is considered an opportunity for two people to grow from life partners into soul mates.
Here, I am going to brief about my Kerala Hindu Traditional Wedding...

Let me start with a small introduction about the typical Kerala Hindu Wedding...
In Kerala, Wedding functions differ according to the different Hindu Community.
Here, I am going to talk about Typical Nair Wedding in Kerala...
We can divide the functions into 3

• Pre wedding Function aka Engagement
• Wedding
• Wedding Reception

Engagement starts with the exchanging and matching of horoscopes by the parents of bride and groom. An eligible occasion for conducting engagement is then finalised. That special date is called as ''Muhoortham'' and is finalised in consultation with the family astrologers and elders of both families.  This event take place in a large hall or in the Bride's Home. In some parts of Kerala,  for this particular function, prospective bride and groom won't be present. It will be finalised by elders of both families.. For my Enagagement, There was a “Ring Exchange “ in front of elders, relatives and friends. We wore traditional outfits on that day.
Here is a snap of my engagement

Wedding
This can again be divided to three
Wedding Eve, Wedding , Grihapravesham(Entering into BrideGroom's Home)
Wedding Eve would be very simple, The function would start when the bride lights up diya in the Pooja Room and then followed by Mehandi Night... Dance, Music celebrations as well....

Wedding Day
The main rituals  on Wedding Day are:

• Nirapara  - filling a large measure(Filling with paddy)
• Nilavilakku  - lighting a traditional, oil-burning lamp
• Thalikettu  - tying the thali around the neck of the bride
• Pudava or Manthrakodi - gifting a pudava by the bridegroom to the bride.
• Saptapadi or Seven Step Feet in front of Holy Fire

Our wedding was a little different, Thalikettu was conducted in a famous temple in Kerala, Chottanikkara and then we all went to a Hall where the other ceremonies were held..
The Bride's Brother  washes the groom`s feet and welcomes him to the hall where the function is to held.There would also be thalams, plates filled with a small lamp and other symbolic articles. The bridegroom and bride would be led to the stage by girls bearing these thalams. Usually, On the Kathir Mandapam, the specially prepared stage where the marriage takes place, groom’s father hands over the Thali to the groom. The groom ties it around the neck of the bride while the background gets filled with auspicious musical notes.

 
Thali represents the long lasting bliss of a marital relationship. The Thali attached to the yellow string will later on later on be moved to a gold chain.
After this, the couple exchange garlands and rings. The groom’s father gives the groom a Pudava Or Manthrakodi (bridal dress) which he gifts to the bride. 
  

He also applies some Kumkum on parting of her hair. Then, the father of the bride comes behind the couple and places betel leaves on the groom’s right hand and puts the bride’s hand on it. This ritual is known as Panigrahanam.
The Saptapadi(Seven Step Feet) is the most important next to Thalikettu in Hindu Weddings.
The groom holds the bride's right hand in his own right hand and the couple conducts 7 circuits of Holy Fire. at each of the seven steps, the couple say these words together:

"Now let us make a vow together. We shall share love, share the same food, share our strengths, share the same tastes. We shall be of one mind, we shall observe the vows together. I shall be the Samaveda, you the Rigveda, I shall be the Upper World, you the Earth; I shall be the Sukhilam, you the Holder – together we shall live and beget children, and other riches; come thou, O beautiful girl!"

  

They will be given sweets, honey , milk etc by elders....After this ceremony and the food , The bride wores the Manthrakodi or Pudava gifted by the Groom and then bid Bye to all dear and near ones and go to Groom's Place. Before stepping into Groom's House, Groom's mother gives a lighted diya and accompanied by people carrying Thalam Bride enters the new home and place the lighted lamp in Pooja Room and they will be given sweets, honey , milk etc by elders....
Its as simple as that...simple and interesting...isn't it?? :)

I wore a Kancheepuram Saree  on my wedding day and wore Gold and diamond Jewellery :) Its again a custom to wear lots of gold on wedding day:)
Then, Couple dress up for reception which is on the same day or the next day In some places :)

About the author: Renji Anooj is a blogger from Hyderabad, India. She loves shopping, makeup, bags, shoes and what not..Check her blog Makeupholic World to know more about her.