The excitement of Tamil Matrimonial Rituals

The Tamil weddings are simple and the celebrations are generally shorter. However, they are very particular about the traditions and rituals to be followed in the marriage. A marriage would be considered as incomplete without these customs and rituals. Some exciting traditional rituals of a Tamil matrimony are as follows.

The primary pre-wedding rituals are ‘Panda Kaal Muhurtham’, ‘Vratham’,’Pallikai Thellichal’ Nandi, Nicchiyadharatham and the reading of ‘Lagna Pathirigai’. The families of both the Tamil groom and the bride offer prayers to God for an auspicious wedding in the Panda Kaal Muhurtham. The formal ceremony begins with the Vratham. Here, the bride ties a holy thread on her wrist known as ‘Kappu’ to ward off all evil sprits.

The groom accepts his next stage of life by offering prayers to Gods. In Pallikai Thellichal, grains are put in small earthen pots and feed to fishes. In Nandi, Brahmins are offered gifts to seek blessings. Nicchiyadharatham is when the groom and the bride exchanges rings. The announcement of the wedding is done by reading the Lagna Pathirigai.

The wedding rituals are the Mangaala Snaanam, Kashi Yatra, Onnjal, Kanyaadanam, Muhurtham and Saptapadi. Mangaala Snaanaam is the purifying bath. The Kashi Yatra is a humorous and playful ritual. Here the groom pretends to visit to the holy pilgrimage of Kashi because none was bothered to find a bride for him. He is then stopped by the bride’s father by promising to give away his daughter to him. Then he is lead to the marriage podium where me meets his bride.

They exchanges garlands and the Onnjal ritual starts. Here, the couple is seated on a swing and ladies would sing songs praising the couple swinging them back and forth.  The Kanyaadanam is when the bride’s father gives away her daughter to the groom. This is followed by Muhurtham, when the groom ties the ‘Mangal sutra’ and puts vermillion in her forehead. This is followed by Saptapadi, when the couple encircles the holy fire seven times while the auspicious mantras are being recited by the Pandit.

The Post wedding rituals are Sammandhi Mariyathai and Grihapravesha. The first ritual is when both the families exchanges gifts. Then the bride leaves her father’s home and moves to her husband’s. The ceremony of welcoming the tamil bride in the groom’s home is Grihapravesham. Here she is welcomed by traditional prayer songs and the wedding reception is followed.

An Indian Matrimony is always colorful and symbolizes a number of philosophical aspects. This makes the event the most cherished and memorable for the couple making them to live with mutual understanding and love after.