Rituals GuideTamil Hindu Wedding

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TAMILHINDUWEDDINGS

TAMILHINDUWEDDINGS

Rituals GuideTamil Hindu Wedding

TAMILHINDUWEDDINGS

The Wedding Ceremony of Bride & Groom

The Hindu wedding is a ceremony rich in symbolic meaning and built upon thousands of years of faith. The wedding ceremony of the Groom and the Bride is solemnized in accordance with the traditional rituals of the Vedas, the holy scripture of the Hindus.

TAMILHINDUWEDDINGS The Setting

The ceremony is conducted in a decorated Manavarai (open canopy) by the Kurukal (priest) in Sanskrit. On the occasion of the marriage, the Groom and the Bride represent “Shiva” and “Parvathy” and sit elevated in a space the priest sanctifies. The Agni (holy fire) in the centre of the Manavarai, one of the most sacred symbols of Hindu heritage, acts as a divine witness to the couple’s union. A coconut, which symbolises purity of character, is broken at every important stage of the ritual, signifying the realisation of the supreme self. In the front are Kumbams (brass pots) filled with water to symbolise the deities. At the centre is a branch of a tree that is decorated in white to symbolise fertility.

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Mappillai Varavetpu - Welcoming the Bridegroom

The ceremony begins with the arrival the Bridegroom. The Tholan (Bride’s younger brother) welcomes him to the family. Two married women perform “Aaraathi” to forestall any mishaps in the proceedings. The Bride’s father garlands the Groom as a mark of honour and welcome. The Groom then proceeds to the Manavarai, where the priest awaits.

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Kanyathanam & Kannika Thaanam – Arrival and giving away of the Bride

The Bride arrives in a procession accompanied by the Tholis (Bridesmaids), her relatives, and her friends. She then undergoes the same purification and protection rituals as the Groom. The parents of the Bride give away their daughter to the parents of the Groom, with the Groom undertaking to protect and cherish her throughout their lives together. The Groom then presents the Bride the Koorai (wedding saree) and the Thali (gold necklace). The Koorai and Thali are circulated amongst the congregation for their blessings. The Bride then leaves the Manavarai in order to change into the Koorai.

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Thaali Kattu – Tying of the Thali

This is the most significant moment of the wedding. The Bride returns to the Manavarai dressed in her Koorai, holding a garland for the Groom. To the beat of the Thavils (drum) and music of Naathaswarams (classical pipe music), the Groom ties the Thali around the Bride’s neck, signifying his abiding love. Guests shower the couple with flowers as a blessing. The couple are now pronounced man and wife and exchange garlands.

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Sapthapathi – The Seven Steps

The Bride and the Groom then take seven steps to start their new life together. With every step the priest recites each vow from the following hymn. The two souls are now united and they vow to start their joyous life as husband and wife. The Groom leads the Bride, promising they will pursue the four purposes of human existence: Dharma (religion and ethics), Artha (wealth and prosperity), Kama (love, fertility and family), and Moksha (spiritual liberation).

With God as our guide let us take

The first step to flourish each other;

The second step to grow together in strength;

The third step to preserve our wealth;

The fourth step to share our joys and sorrows;

The fifth step to care for our children;

The sixth step to be together forever;

The seventh step to remain lifelong friends;

The perfect halves to make the perfect whole.

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Prathakshanam – Walk around the sacred fire

The couple walk around the sacred fire three times. On the first round, the Bridegroom places the Bride’s right foot on the Ammi (granite stone) and places a Metti (silver ring) on her second toe. On the second round, the Groom repeats this on the left foot. The Ammi symbolises the strong foundation of life. After the final round, the couple compete for a ring placed inside a pot of water. This reminds them of the compromises they must make in their life together. The couple then feed each other with milk and fruit.

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Aseervatham - Blessing

Two ladies perform Aarathi in front of the couple to wish them good luck. The ceremony concludes with the Groom and the Bride receiving blessings from the priest, parents, relatives and friends. They bless the couple by showering them with saffron rice for a long, happy and prosperous married life together.