Hot Spot 1
Wedding Invitation
Wedding Invitations are usually the reflection of the tastes, of the Mappillai or his family members – who perhaps swipe their plastic card for it. Although, the internet has helped a lot in the distribution of these cards across the globe, we in our culture still very much impose on the distribution of the cards are done personally. For a fact, that is the first event that takes place to announce the union and extravaganza to all. Usually until the invitations arrive, not all are sure that the whole wedding will take place.
One trend that is merging is the desire to have unique invitations cards. Rather than making a choice from catalogue of pre-printed designs, we are beginning to find increasingly urban, lifestyle-conscious, city slickers opting for a specially designed invite. Creative Expressions and exclusivity are what such couples are looking for.
In their search for the ideal card that will reflect their personalities, create a buzz among its recipients and set the tone of their wedding. In fact, nothing is more befitting than an invitation that expresses the couple’s sincerity and individuality to their guests. More so, when an invite is expected to exude an aura of romance, the foundation upon which a marriage is built upon.
Hot Spot 2
Bridesmaid
She (usually groom’s sister) brings the bride to wedding hall from bride’s house.
Hot spot 3
The coconut carried by the bride
The bride carries the coconut which is wrapped together with some money, kungumam, betel, nuts in a yellow piece of cloth for the wedding. On the third day, after the wedding, the coconut is taken to the temple. At the temple, the priest does the archanai using the coconut. The archanai is then brought home and placed at the altar.
Hot spot 4
The Stage/Manavarai
The stage or manavarai is the place where the whole will occur.
Hot Spot 6
First Appearance of the groom
The mappillai tholan (best man – who is usually the bride’s brother) will lead the groom to the wedding dais from the entrance. After circumambulating the wedding dais once in a clockwise direction the groom will seat himself.
Hot Spot 7, Hot Spot 8, Hot spot 9
Religious Rituals for the groom
Once the groom is seated, he is offered the vibuthi (holy ash) by the priest. Then the mappilai tholan will garland the groom with the seeyakkai maalai (a simple garland). The bridegroom is then offered a pavithram(a ring made of therpai grass) to wear on his right ring finger. A Pillayar(Lord Ganesha) pooja is then conducted to remove all the obstacles. This is signified by tying a saffron thread on the right wrist of the groom. During this time the bridegroom will hold a coconut, uncooked yellow rice, betel leaves, betel nuts, and two bananas in both palms.
Hot Spot 10
Religious Rituals for the groom
The wedding attire and wedding garland for the groom will be taken around the hall to be blessed by the guests. The bridegroom will then retire to change into his wedding attire.
Hot Spot 11
Religious Rituals for the groom
Three or five married ladies (usually will be the aunts of the groom) will perform the nallunggu. They will also perform the sowing of the navathaniyam(nine varities of coloured grains). This is to signify the fertility of the sacred union. The same women will bring the Agni (sacred fire) who is the main witness and purifier of the wedding rituals as requested by the priest. These women then plant the Arasaani tree.
Hot Spot 12
Wedding Attire
The wedding attire and wedding garland are given to the bridegroom to change into his wedding attire.
Hot Spot 13
Bride’s First Entrance and the Rituals
The bride is led to manavarai by her tholi (bridesmaid, usually the groom’s sister). The bride will carry a coconut wrapped in a yellow cloth with her.
Hot Spot 14
Bride’s First Entrance and the Rituals
The bride will seat herself after circumambulating the wedding dais once. The priest offers vibuthi to the bride and her tholi. The bridesmaid will garland the bride with the seeyakkai maalai. Another Pillayar poojai is conducted. A Mahalaxmi is also conducted to get the blessing of Goddess Mahalaxmi.
Hot Spot 16
Bride’s First Entrance and the Rituals
Three or five married ladies (usually will be the aunts of the groom) will perform the nallunggu. They will also perform the sowing of the navathaniyam(nine varities of coloured grains). This is to signify the fertility of the sacred union. The same women will bring the Agni (sacred fire) who is the main witness and purifier of the wedding rituals as requested by the priest. These women then plant the Arasaani tree.
Hot Spot 17
Bride’s First Entrance and the Rituals
The bridesmaid will place the garland on the brides’ shoulder.
Hot Spot 18
Bride’s First Entrance and the Rituals
The bride will give her wedding attire and garland to change and appear in her best wear.
Hot spot 19
Groom Dressed in Wedding Vesti and Jippa
The bridegroom arrives at the entrance of the hall dressed elegantly in his wedding vesti and jippa. The priest will be at the entrance as well. Now, the mappillai tholan will place the right foot of the groom on the ammi (grinding stone). The mappillai tholan will wash the groom’s foot with milk, and apply some sandal paste and kungumam. He will then place a metti (toe ring) around the second toe. He will also place a metti on the elft toe. The groom then presents a ring for the mappillai tholan. The bridegroom wears the metti to inform to the world that he is married. The metti will also remind him of his responsibilities towards his family and society. The groom will then proceed to the wedding dais accompanied by the nathaswaram and the thavil melam. He will then sit at the manavarai waiting for his bride.
Hot Spot 20
Pradhana Homam
A crucial part of the wedding is the homage paid by the couple to AGNI, the fire – God. They circle around the fire, and feet it with ghee, and twigs of nine types of trees, as sacrificial fuel. The fumes that arise are supposed to posses medicinal, curative and cleansing effects on the bodies of the couple. AGNI is the greatest cosmic energy, so the Homam is paying tribute to the universe that has come together to bless this couple as AGNI SAKSHI.
Hot spot 21
The bridegroom
The bridegroom waits for the bride to arrive while the priest performs some rituals.
Hot spot 22
Flower girls
These girls will hold vazhaku (oil lamp) as the brides walks in the hall.
Hot spot 23
Bride in Her Best Wear
The bride walks in her wedding clothes and joins the groom. She will sit on his right because the right side symbolizes victory plus she will be the pillar for her husband.
Hot Spot 24
The In Laws’ Ritual
The parents of the bridegroom and bride perform rituals welcoming them to each other’s family and to pay respect.
Hot Spot 25
Reading Of Lagna Pathirigai
The priest plays a prominent role in the reading of Lagna Pathirigai, he announces other details related to marriage, including the muhurtam and the venue for the wedding.
The priest plays a prominent role in the reading of Lagna Pathirigai, he announces other details related to marriage, including the muhurtam and the venue for the wedding.
Hot Spot 26
Matha Pitha Pooja
This is where the bride and groom will take turns in washing the feet of their parents with milk. This denotes how when embarking on their own new life now, they show gratitude to the parents and their forefathers.
Hot spot 27 (Link to Thali)
Tying the Sacred Thaali
The priest will then hand over the Thaali to the bridegroom, who will then tie it with three knots around the bride’s neck. While tying the the thaali, the groom will say the Mangalya Mantra. The thaali is made of several pieces of yellow string that is tied around the neck of the bride during the wedding. It is normally replaced with a gold chain on the third day of the wedding. This is done at the bride’s house. Some people prefer to replace the thaali after the third month of the marriage.
Hot spot 28
Tying the Sacred Thali
At this point, the groom’s sister will stand behind the couple holding an oil lamp.
Hot spot 29
Tying the Sacred Thali
The groom will apply sandal paste and kungumam on the three knots and the thaali. He will also put kungumam on the bride’s forehead.
Hot spot 30
Exchange Garlands
The married couples will then exchange the garlands three times after which they will return to their wedding dais. Now, the bride will sit on the groom’s left as Lord Shiva has designated his left half as the place for Mother Sakhti.
Hot spot 31
The Methi
The groom will place the metti for his bride on the second toe of her right and left feet. Holding the bride’s left foot toe, the bridegroom helps her tread on a grindstone which is kept on the right side of the fire. The Manthras says;”Mount up this stone. Let thy mind be roc-film, unperturbed, by the trials and tribulations of life! ”
The methi or toe ring is worn to remind the couple that they are married. It is advised to wear the ring for the rest of one’s life. Many people prefer to remove the emthi because it is more comfortable. Nevertheless, one should wear the methi for at least three months after the marriage. The mathi should be safely kept if not wearing and it can can aso replaced by different methi.
Hot spot 32
Circumbulating the Agni (fire)
The mappillai tholan leads the groom while he holds his bride’s hand. The bride meanwhile will hold the tholi’s hand while they go around the ceremonial fire three times. Each times they feed the fire with ghee, rice, and seeds. During the first round the married couple takes the sapthabathy (marriages vows). The seven steps in ‘sapthabathy’ mean nourishments, moral support and strength, chastity, happiness in parenthood, mutual commitment, respect and love, cherishment and eternal friendship. Upon completion of the first round the bride and groom will feed the Agni with pori. This is also done at the end of the second and third round. During the third round, the groom lifts the right foot of the bride and places it on the ammi to reinforce the importance of steadfastness in the matrimonial bond.
Hot spot 33
Fishing the Ring
In this, the couple is made to sit facing each other and with a bowl of milk in front of them. A ring is dropped in the bowl and the newlyweds are asked to find the ring. Whoever gets the ring first is declared as the winner. As per the beliefs, the winner of the game rules the roost for the entire life.
Hot spot 34
Blessings
The priest will bless the couple upon completion of the third round. Parents and relatives will also bless the couple. Three married women will then perform the aarathi. The priest will remove the yellow thread tied on the bride and groom while the newlyweds plant the arasani tree. Selected married women will then plant the Navathaniyam by scattering the seeds on the ground.
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