Aspects of the Tamil Wedding Ceremony
These are the parts of
traditional Tamil wedding ceremony...
Bamboo stick and brass pots
The bamboo stick has 7 knots and there are also 7 brass pots
on stage. They represent the 7 vows of marriage:
1. To share the responsibilities of home and children.
2. To develop mental, physical and spiritual strength
3. To prosper and share our worldly goods
4. To fill our hearts with great joy, peace and
happiness
5. To raise strong and virtuous children
6. To remain faithful, lifelong parents
7. To cherish each other and our families in sorrow and
happiness
Ganesha
Pooja
The priest and the bridal
couple perform a prayer to worship the Lord Ganesha. This
pooja is done to make a humble request to Lord Ganesha that
the wedding proceeds without any problems.
Garlands
The garlands which are made
of fresh flowers signify a pure offering to God. The groom
and bride have garlands placed around their necks to signify
mutual acceptance.
Navagraha
Flowers petals are offered to
the nine astral planets to attain harmony.
Kalasa
Pooja
An offering is made to Lord
Brahma in the form of a kalasa (clay pot).
Kanyadhanam
This ritual is that part of
the marriage ceremony in which the gril's family gives her
away to the groom's family by joining hands together.
Yagya
The sacred fire is lit and
aromatic herbs, ghee and mango twigs make purifying
offerings for mental and physical well-being.
Thali
It is made of strands of
cotton immersed in turmeric water. The bottu is a gold
pendant which is attached to the string. The priest places
the thali on a coconut which is offered to the parents and
witnesses to be blessed. The groom ties it around the
bride's neck and knots it 3 times. The three knots symbolise
the marriage of the mind, spirit and body. A red dot (kumkum)
is placed on the bride's forehead by the groom.
Jay Mala
The couple exchange their
garlands three times symbolising their pure and sweet unity
with nature's blessing.
Sammandhi
Mariyathai
The families of the
newly-weds exchange clothes and other gifts during this
ceremony to acknowledge the given as a token of unending
love for each other.
Wedding
Rings
A wedding ring symbolises
eternity, endlessness and something that cannot be broken.
Wedding rings are given as a token of unending love for each
other.
Toe Rings
The bride places her feet on
a grinding stone. The groom places silver toe-rings on his
bride's feet symbolising that henceforth he will look after
and protect her. The grinding stone signifies that the
couple's union will be as firm and steadfast.
Pranam
Touching of the parents feet
to seek their blessings.
Ashirvadam
At this time the priest,
family and friends approach the newly-weds and sprinkle
flower petals on them to bless their happy life together.
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