Tamil Wedding Ceremony

Tamil Wedding Ceremony

September 17, 2023 admin 0 Comments

Tamil weddings, hailing from the Tamil Nadu state in South India, are rich in customs, rituals, and traditions. Here’s a step-by-step overview of a typical Tamil wedding:

1. Panda Kaal Muhurtham: Both families erect a bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits and seek blessings for the upcoming wedding.

2. Sumangali Prarthanai: A prayer ceremony where the bride seeks blessings from Sumangalis (married women) and offers respects to deceased female ancestors.

3. Pallikai Thellichal: Grains soaked in water are fed to fish, seeking fertility blessings for the couple.

4. Naandi Shrardham: The families offer prayers to their ancestors, seeking their blessings for the wedding.

5. Nichayathartham (Engagement): The groom’s family visits the bride’s home, gifts are exchanged, and the wedding date is fixed. The couple exchanges rings in some families.

6. Lagna Pathirikai: The formal wedding invitation is printed and the first card is placed in front of God.

7. Mangala Snanam: On the wedding day, both the bride and groom take a purifying bath after being applied with oil and turmeric.

8. Gauri Puja: The bride offers her prayers to Goddess Gauri.

9. Kashi Yatra: Similar to the Telugu wedding, the groom pretends to leave for Kashi and is stopped by the bride’s family, convincing him to marry the bride.

10. Pada Puja: The bride’s parents wash the groom’s feet as a sign of respect.

11. Oonjal (Swing Ceremony): The couple sits on a decorated swing, and women sing songs while circling rice balls around them.

12. Kanyadaanam: The bride’s parents offer their daughter’s hand in marriage to the groom.

13. Muhurtham: The groom ties the Mangalsutra (sacred necklace) around the bride’s neck and applies the sindoor on her forehead, signifying their marital union.

14. Saptapadi: The couple takes seven rounds around the sacred fire, making vows of commitment.

15. Sammandhi Mariyathai: Exchange of gifts between the two families.

16. Reception: Held by the groom’s side to introduce the newlywed bride to relatives and friends.

17. Grihapravesh: The bride’s welcome into the groom’s home.

18. Maruvidu Varudal: A few days after the wedding, the couple visits the bride’s house. The bride’s family welcomes the newlyweds and often hosts a lunch or dinner. Each step in a Tamil wedding is filled with symbolic meanings and traditions passed down through generations. The rituals may slightly vary depending on the specific Tamil community, region, and individual family customs.

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