South Indian weddings

South India

South India is the area encompassing the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh,Telangana,Tamilnadu,Karnataka and Kerala and also the Union Territories of  Andaman Nicobar,Lakshadweep and Puducherry(Pondicherry).South is bounded b y the Bay of bengal in the east and Arabian sea in the west.Largest Cities in the South India are Chennai,Hyderabad,Bangalore and Kochi.Majority of the people speaks the four Dravidian Languages namely Telugu,Tamil,Kannada and Malayalam.South India is rich in culture and Community.Lets have a look on the South Indian wedding rituals.

Telugu wedding: Telugu wedding ceremony is the traditional wedding ceremony of the telugu people in India.The ceremony could last up to sixteen days (Padahaaru Rojula Panduga).But now it is last's upto two or more days.The rituals depends upon the Caste of the bride and the groom.The pendli or the wedding ceremony is considered as the strongest social bonds.There is a telugu saying "Marriage is supposed to be family union and not an individual formality.Lets move to the main aspects of the telugu wedding.

Telugu wedding.

Nischitardham/Engagement:A muhurtham(Auspicious day & Time) for the wedding is decided based on horoscopes.The telugu people generally avoids the month of Aashadam,Bhadrapadam and shunya maasam occurs.Because they are considered as the Inauspicious for the ceremonies.The couple is then blessed by the elders and the future in laws gift her a clothes,gold and some silver ware.Formally ending the engagement.And follows the other rituals like Snatakam and Kashiyathra.

Wedding customs:The wedding rituals of the telugu speaking people differs them from the other south Indian states.Telugu people follow their own tradition on wedding ritual.Telugu weddings do not take place in the morning,Close to the midnight.Telugu brahmins wedding customs are different from the other telugu  communities.

Mangala snanam:This is the procedure and custom follow by the telugu speaking people on the wedding day.Mangala snanam where the bride and the groom required to take an auspicious bath on the wedding day.This bath is also called 'Abhyangana Snanama'.Then follows Bridal Make uo and aarthi.

Mangala snanam performing by a groom.

Ganesh and Gauri Pooja:Before the wedding ceremony groom attends the pooja ceremony.Which is conducted at the Mantapam.And the Bride goes to the gauri pooja at her house with the family and the relatives attending before going to the Ceremony.During this time that 'Pravara' a ritual of changing brides gothram(Clan) from her paternal gothram to that of the groom is performed.Elderly couples present this event while bride performs the pooja.

Kanyadanam and Paanigrahanam:Kanyadanam which the girl's family hands over their daughter's responsibilities to the groom.During the ceremony bride sits in the bamboo basket.Her maternal uncle brings her to the Mantapam.Until the completion of Kanyadanam bride and the groom should not to see each others faces.They arrange the curtain between Bride and the groom.Then brides father washes the grooms feet,As a gesture of respect.Because on the wedding day bride and the groom considered as the Lord Vishnu swaroopam and Devi Lakshmi.The groom is made to chant"Dharmecha,Arthecha,Kamecha,Mokshecha and Nati Charami.Three times and assure the brides father three times that he remain her companion in joy and sorrow for ever.Paanigrahanam means 'Holding Hands'.The groom holds the hands of the bride.

Panigrahanam.

Jilakarra Bellam to Appaginthalu:The priest recites slokam from vedas,Then the couple is asked to place the paste made from cumin seeds and jaggery on each other's head.This ritual is known as Jilakarra-Bellam in telugu.This ceremony is observed to communicate that the couple's relationship is unbreakable and insaparable.This is the actual muhurtham time.As the part of 'Madhuparkam' ritual the bride dresses up in the white sari with red border.The groom wears a dhothi with a red border.White symbolizes purity and red for strength and then mangalasuthra dharana which means tying mangalasuthram (Holy thread) in order to perform ritual the partition between the bride and groom removed,then the groom ties the two strings of the mangalasuthram,each with a golden disc,around the brides neck,this represents the physical, mental and spiritual union of the couple.Then akshinthalu follows which means also talambralu where the rice coated with turmeric powder.Stalipakam is the ritual where the groom adorns the feet of the bride with silver toe rings.And next comes to Arundhati Nakshatram is the ritual where bride and groom are shown the stars known as arundhathi and vasistha.These stars represent the perfect couple complementing each other.Appaginthalu takes place at the end of the wedding ceremony.This is when the bride traditionally handed off to the groom and his family.

Jilakarra Bellam.

Post wedding rituals:

Gruhapravesam:After the culmination of the wedding ceremony,The bride formally taken to the groom's house,This is called gruhapravesham of the bride.

Satyanarayana vratham:Satyanarayana vratham is very popular in Andhra pradesh.It is mentioned in Skanda purana.Where as Satya means 'Truth' and Narayana means 'The highest being' which means the highest being which is embodiment of truth.Then the ritual known as Uniting the managalasuthram continues,As a customary,Telugu people unite the two managalasuthras.

Wedding in Kerala:

Nakshatra porutham:Matching of the stars as per the horoscopes of the boy and the girl.It is essential in the marriage where as an astrologer confirms the matching of both the horoscopes.After the stars matching is confirmed,the elder members of the boy visits and formally approaches the girl's.The broker who is bridge between the two families approaches the girls family.Equipped with complete details about the boy,His education,family, and financial details.If the broker gets the node from the girls family,He will report back.Then the elders visits to the girls house and then boy visit's girls house with his friends.If the boy approves the girl,The girl is requested to visit the boys house.The visits follows The next step is of fixing the date for visiting the girls house by close relatives and neighbours .This is called 'Virunnu'.On this visit they fix up a day with the girls family for betrothal which is jathakam vangal in local parlance.

Malayali Bride.

Mothiram maral:Exchange of the ring between the boy and the girl as a token of marriage fixation.has been agreed upon,the groom,his father and mother will also accompany others.The important function during the betrothal is receiving the girls horoscope.The horoscope is accepted by the elder uncle (Mothers brother)from the father of the girl.The horoscope is handed over standing before a 'Nilavilaku'(Traditional kerela oil lamp made of bell metal) in which six cotton wicks are lighted and 'Nirapara'(A full measure of paddy) with flowering coconut bunch on,betel leaves and areca nut and burning incense sticks.The receiver stands facing east,And giver stands on the west.

A malayali Couple hanging out.

Muhoortham:The day and the date auspicious time for thalikettu -Tying of the nuptial knot.will be prescribed by an astrologer.A slip containing these details will be given to the family of the would-be bride by one or two elder members from the family of the would be groom few days before the marriage.This  is in spite of having intimated them these details earlier.Because it is a custom.

                            On marriage day the groom and the party numbering 200 to 1000 arrive at the marriage venue before the Muhoortham.The elder of the bride prospective brother in law with banquet by holding the right hand of the groom by his right hand.The prospective mother in law of the groom showers raw rice mixed with tulasi leaves while a nilavilaku is held by the  wife of the elder brother of the brides father.It is her right to do so.All the three then lead to the 'kalyana mandapam'.Decorated with the flowers and request him sit in the right side chair facing east.And there will be Nirpara with flowering coconut bunch on,Three traditional kerala nilavilaku,Betel nut,Areca nut,Tender coconut;Burning incense sticks,Camphor,Sandal paste. And a pooja will be done by the priest.And the girl worn by golden ornaments as a dowry from her parents and the costly 'Kalyana saree' bought and presented by the elder sister of the boy.Along with the kalyana saree  complete dresses for at least one year of use,Cosmetics and Foot wear also bought along with the wedding saree.The elder sister comes along with 20 to 25 other women to the mandapam with banana filled thalam.then the bride and the small entourage encircle the mandapam three times and the bride seated left to the groom.on the muhoortham priest hands over to the groom thalimala.The next next procedure is garlanding each other .During this time the priest recite some marriage connected versus from vedas for the happy and long prosperous wedding life.The father of the girl re-recite the same versus.After this groom holding the right hand is required to the encircle the mandapam three times.With this ,The ceremony is over.As a thanks giving bride and the groom separately gives dakshina to the poojari in betel leaves.The amount of dakshina should be entrusted to the couple by thier respective brother in laws as a custom.A full course sumptuos meal is served to all present thereafter.
After the meal is over,the groom and party prtoceed to his house with company of the bride.The departure from here is at the muhoortham.The bride has enter the house of groom by holding a Nilavilakku and she has to put her leg into the house.Soon a group of people consisting relatives neighbours and friends numbering 100 to 150  from brides family end come to the grooms house for bring back to the couple.They will served with a posh tea party.To the return journey the bride and the groom change their dress and wear a new set.
The next day the groom accompanied by a brother visits his house and returns same day.He will remain 4 to 5 days at bridal house and thereafter the couple returns to his house.

Malayali Bride with Gold.

Finally:Dowry is rampant amongst all the religious and all sections of society in kerala.Gold ornaments are a major part of dowry.Every class of society try to give a large quantity of gold to their daughters as a dowry.It is also a prestige issue now a days to give more gold ornaments.Other than that car,The home appliances are also common forms of dowry.

 

Jain Matrimony

JAIN WEDDING

Jainism is considered as one of the most prominent religious practice in the Indian sub continent.In India Maharastra has the largest jain population followed by Rajasthan.Jains are considered as the one of the most peace loving community in the country.The religion is considered as the offshoot of the Hinduism.But in the 2006 Honorable.Supreme court of India Declared that jainism is the not at all part of the Hinduism.

Couple showing the Principle's of Jainism.

Swethambara and Digambara:

There are two main sects in the Jainism known as Swethambara and Digambara.Swethambara's mainly concentrated in the North India like Rajasthan,Gujarath and Uttar pradesh.Were as Digambara's are mainly Concentrated in the South and western part's of the country like Maharastra ,Karnataka and Tamilnadu(Tamil Jain).Swethambara's follow north Indian Hindu Marriage Rituals,Were as Digambara's mostly follow South Indian Hindu Marriage Rituals.

Pre-Wedding Ritual's:

Khol Bharana and Tikka:In Marvari's like Agarwal's Khol Bharana and Tikka is considered as the beginning of Pre-Wedding marriage ritual's in the Jain community.After Wedding is fixed Between bride's and groom's family.The Groom's family visits the Bride's family with Silver Platter contains a coconut and some cash,This is known as Khol Bharana and the Vice Versa known as Tikka.

Laghana Lekhan:This is a small puja cermony at Bride's House where close relatives and friends were attend.The Priest decide's the Best date and the time for wedding known as Laghana.

Laghana Patrika Vachan:This is the next ritual performed by the jains after the laghana lekhan.Were the fomal letter drafted by the bride's family and send it to the Groom's House,Were groom's family performed the Vinayakayantra puja ceremony and the letter from bride's side is opened in front of the family member's and the close relative's.The Pandit read's out Aloud so the everyone can hear.

Manae Devaru Poojai:This is the ritual performed in the South India.Before the wedding a sacred pot is placed in deference to the deity. where the families of both bride and the groom performs the puja and pray to the deity for well being of the couple's future and as well as to conduct the wedding without any Obstacle.

And they follow some ritual's like Sagai and mehendi from the Hinduism,Well Known as Hindu marriage System.And some other ritual's are

Bana Betai:This ritual is performed by the Jains of Rajasthan.It is nothing but the ritualistic bath before the wedding.Instead of the turmeric powder The Bride and groom use the Chickpea paste or a besan.Anointed by the married women to the Bride and the groom.After this wedding the bride and the groom should not see each other till the time of the wedding.

Mada Mandap:Mada mandap is the place where the wedding take's place.A Puja is performed by the Pandit is known as Mada Mandap.

Thamba Prathistai and Kankanam Katusthatu:Puja ceremony is conducted with the vessel which is sacred placed alter before the god.where the pandit prepares the special thread called Kankanam.The kankanam is tied to the hands of the both bride and the groom.After this ritual the bride and the groom should not see each other till the time of the wedding.

Traditional Jain Wedding.

Wedding Ritual's:

Gudhchadi:This is the most common in the swethambar wedding.where we can't see in the Digambar's Wedding Ritual's.Were the groom leaves for the brides place with the Horse.Before he will go to the Nearby Temple and pray the deity.And the Mother and relatives of the Groom put the Tilak on his Forehead.

Baarti:This refers to the Grooms procession reaches to the bride's family.where bride's brother and the groom exchange the coconuts and the bride's brother gifts some cash,sweet and Clothes to the groom.

Aarthi:Bride's mother and the family welcomes the Groom with Aarthi by singing the Traditional wedding folk called Mangal geet.

And the other rituals were follow the Hindu marriage rituals like Kanyavaran,GranthiBhandan and Pheras were as in hinduism this named as Saptapadi.

Bride and Groom at a Jain Wedding.

Post wedding they follow Aashirvada and Bidaai. And then Sva graha aagaman where groom's family welcomes bride to there house with aarthi with warmth and gesture.Jina grahe dan arpana is the very unique ritual performed by the jain families where the bride and the groom goes to the jain mandir to pray and distribute the alms to the poor.By expressing the gratitude to the god for succesful marriage completion.And then Reception which completes the entire wedding occasion.

Muslim Wedding

Islam in India:Islam is the second largest religion in the country after Hinduism.Nearly 14.2% countries population are adherents of Islam as per 2011 Census.Islam first came to western coast of the India in Kerala,when Arab traders as early as seventh century CE came to coastal Malabar in Kerala.And as well as Konkan and Gujarat.Over the centuries,there has been significant integration of Hindu and Muslim cultures across India.Wedding is the Integral part of the Islamic Culture and are mandated by the Holy Quran as one of the primary duties of a Muslim.Lets take a look at the Various Rituals of a Muslim Wedding.

Pre Wedding Ritual's

Salatul Ishtikara: Arranged marriages are prevalent in Muslim community.Love marriage prefers very low.Matches are sought with in the same religious sect and communities.Once a Match has been Finalised by the families who deem each other Compatible,The religious head or the Imam of the nearest Mosque performs special prayers and seek the Almighty's Blessings and Consent.This marks the official announcement of the Marriage.The would-be bride and the groom also attends the prayers and ask for the guidance to the Allah through Prayers.

Imam-E-Zamin: Following the Ishtikara,The groom's mother on the auspicious day,visits the brides home carrying sweets and some other gifts. She also carries a Red color silk scarf which she ties around her future Daughter in laws Right arm.The Ritual Signifies the formal acceptance of the bride into her family.

Couple wearing an Imam Zamin.

Manghni: Manghni marks the official engagement ceremony between the bride and the groom and there families.Friends and relatives from the both sides attends the event.Where the both bride and the groom exchanges their ring.Each family showers the other with gifts,sweets, dry fruits and some cash.This ceremony officially seals the intention of marriage between the two families and the bride and the groom are considered betrothed to each other in the eyes of the society.

Manjha & Mehendi:This is one of the adopted ritual with in the muslim wedding practices in India. A day or two day before the actual Nikha ceremony,The bride is dressed with yellow finery.A paste made of turmeric,Sandalwood and rose water applied to the bride's face, hand and the feet.After the application of the turmeric paste is complete.The bride goes on to take a bath. After her Manjha,The bride not supposed to leave the house till her wedding day.The same event observed at the grooms house as well.Mehendi is the ceremony which is observed by only the ladies.A lady centric function where the only women participates.The most artistic lady in the family is entrusted with task of applying the henna paste in unique.Now a days Mehendi artists are Hiring from the outside who are professionals.Other female members of the family also get painted their hands with henna.

Mehendi on Bride's hands.

Sanchaq or Shukrana:During this pre wedding ritual,Members of the grooms family visits the brides place bearing gifts for her and future in laws.Along with this gifts sweets, fruits etc.The bridal outfit to be worn at the time of nikha are also sent.Other accessories are also sent.Some families even  send over perfumes,cosmetics and toiletries for the bride.

Wedding Day Ritual's

Baarath:The groom  head towards the Wedding Venue with great pomp and show accompanied by the host of his relatives and close friends.A beautifully decorated car generally sent by the bride's family to bring the groom.The relatives of the groom follows the car and the whole wedding party heading towards the wedding venue is known as the baarath.And then welcoming the groom into the wedding venue with spraying the perfumes and the rose water on the groom as he enters the wedding venue.

NIKHA:The Nikha or wedding are officiated by a religious priest or Maulvi.The men and women are seated in separate groups for the Ceremony.Here the women takes their around bride and men near the groom.The grooms family presents the bride with mehr which is pre-decided amount of cash to seek her consent for marrying the groom.The maulvi starts the Nikha proceeding by first saying a prayer from the holy quran,Next he asks the bride, if she consenting to marry the groom  by accepting the quran.This is where he asks the bride the phrase 'Qubool Hai'? which means do you give ur consent(Three times in a row).with assertive and affirmative tone three times.And then the maulvi moves to the groom and repeats the same procedure.This ritual is known as Ijab-e-qubool.After completion of this Ritual the bride and the groom do not see each other faces and then julwa(in some south indian mostly in AP)starts and then Bidaai.

A bride accepting the mehr and signing.

Rukshat:Soon after wedding is concluded,The bride bids tearful goodbye to her family and sets of her husbands house,When she arrives at a husbands house,She extended a warm welcome by her Mother-in-Law.As a gesture of welcome and as well as reminder her duties,The holy quran placed on her head.

Walimah/Reception:Walima ceremony marks the public declaration of the marriage.It is a grand reception party arranged by the grooms family.Here,the bride and the groom generally seated on a throne atop a stage,where they meet and greet all the members from both side of the families.The event includes a grand feast of traditional muslim delicacies like Biryani,rumali roti,meat korma etc.

A muslim wedding reception

Chauthi&Jumagi:This ceremony involves the bride visiting her parent's home on fourth day of the wedding accompanied by her new husband.Her parents treat the newlywed couple with a lavish lunch and give them various gifts.The chauthi concludes all the events of a typical muslim wedding.Jumagi is an another ritual usually follows on Fridays(Jumma) continuously. The ritual is completed after fifth friday.In this ritual the families from both the brides and the grooms family and relatives invites the new couple and makes a jumagi with gifts and delicious foods.

 

Christian Wedding

Christian's in India:Christianity is considered as the third most populous community in the India.As per the 2011 census 27,819,588 Are the Christian population in the Country.They are largely Concentrated in South India,Konkan region and the North Eastern parts of the country.Majority in Nagaland and followed by Mizoram.It is believed that the Christianity was Introduced by Saint.Thomas well known as the Thomas the Apostle.Although,Christianity enters from the western counties they merged with Indian society and became a part of the Indian culture.

Indian women praying in the church

Match Making:Match Making is the one of the most common Vital thing in the Christian society.Marriages are generally performed in the specific denominations like if a roman catholic Groom wants to marry a girl.He should have to Roman Catholic only not the Protestant or a Lutheran Christian.Once a Match is settled. Then the family members will meet.Once they Satisfied the talks proceed.When the bride and groom knows each other.If they find each other Compatible Then the formal proposals happens,Most probably from the Groom's Side.In South India They use to exchange the Betel Leaves and the Betel Nut.This Ceremony is known as 'Badalchen' Like Tambulam in South Indian Hindu Marriages.

Pre Wedding Ritual's

Engagement:Engagement is considered as the one of the most important rituals in the christian community.After the courtship period the Bride and the groom decides to engage.Family members from both the sides and friends will attend the occasion.Where groom use to gift a ring to the bride and he places it on the left hand ring finger and some other gifts like Clothes,Perfumes etc.Now a days bride also presenting the ring to the groom were he wears on the right hand ring finger.The engagement also announces in some local churches and sometimes in the local newspapers.

Engagement Ceremony of Christian wedding.

Bridal shower where the bride's relatives throws the bridal shower.Young cousin's and friends decides a day to take her to a merry night.They host a party were they play the games,sings dance and they shower the bride with gifts where she find useful further Conjugal life.Bride cuts the pink cake and served to the companions in that cake there is a hidden silver thimble placed.The piece's of cake delivered to the young girls,The girl Were the piece of cake is served with the hidden thimble believed to be the next girl to be getting married.In the same way Groom arrange a bachelor party.Altough, it is a pure western concept,But now its Popularity is gaining in India.Were the Groom calls his friends and enjoy with them,Women strictly not allowed in this party.Male friends and family members strengthen their male bonding.They enjoy by going some typical adventure sport like Hiking,Bungee Jumping,skydiving,surfing etc.

Rose Ceremony:Rose ceremony is the most common thing in the western Indian or Konkan  christian families.It is similar to Haldi Ceremony in the Hindu weddings. Were the The bride and Groom are anointed with the oil by Relatives.After this bride and groom bathed with water.The whole ceremony followed by a rose prayer and then dinner with drinks.

Wedding Ritual's

Welcoming the bride,On the day of wedding female relatives of the groom side visits the bride's home with her wedding outfits.Some jewelry,sweets and fruits.The priest use to pray and bless the wedding dress before handed over to the bride.The brides get ready in her house and sets off for the church in a car sent by a groom with her friends or bridemaids .And grooms family receives her at the Church.Then the wedding mass starts which is nothing but prayers and the Hymn's from the bible.The program starts from the opening prayer,Both the Old and New testament versus revised.The nest part is singing the Psalm.Either by the guests or Church Soloist.Wedding Vow's Starts,Were the actual wedding Ceremony starts. In India mostly vows mostly decide by the priest and the bride and the groom follows him. They essentially promise that they will be together in all the phases of life till the death.

A Christian Wedding Ceremony

Solemnizing of the Marriage:The marriage is solemnized by the first exchanging wedding rings.these are mostly simple gold wedding bands.They are placed on the left hand ring finger of the bride and the groom.In the South India in culture there is an additional custom which is nothing but tying the necklace around the bride's neck. Which we usually observe in the Hindu Marriage's called Thali or a Mangalsutra.The groom tie's the Half Leaf Pendant with the symbol of Cross embedded to the bride.Next the Bride and Groom blessed by the Priest and declared Wife and Husband.They hold hand together and march down from the dia's to seek the blessings from the Elders.

Tying the Necklace to the Bride.

Post wedding Ritual's

Reception:After completing the wedding ceremony couple, relatives and other Invitees  moves to the Banquet hall where they cuts the cake and feeds each other and then a wedding feast continues.Some times there is a live band and DJ present to encourage the guests to dance.