People belonging to the state of Kerala observe the Malayalee marriage rituals to solemnize their wedding. The weddings are often performed in a northwestern room or a corner of the marriage venue. A Malayalee wedding is a study in simplicity and doesn't involve much religious compulsions; rather spirituality is the key. The various Malaylee marriage rituals are:
PRE WEDDING MALAYALEE RITUALS
Muhurtham
This ritual refers to the exchange of the horoscopes of both the boy and girl, which are then studied to arrive at an auspicious date for the wedding with the help of astrologers.
Nischayam
Nischayam is the formal engagement ceremony where the marriage is announced to all the other family friends and relatives. But the would-be bride and the groom are not present on this particular event.
Traditional Feast
The traditional feast is served at the bride's home and she faces east while partaking of a traditional five-course vegetarian meal with her family.
WEDDING DAY MALAYALEE RITUALS
Madhuparkam
As the groom arrives at the bride's ancestral home, which serves as a marriage venue, clad in a dhoti and a angavastram, he is greeted by the bride's father who washes the groom's feet. The groom then hands over a white sari to the bride's parents that she must wear for the wedding nuptials.
THE MALAYALEE WEDDING
The Malaylee wedding is short and sweet. The couple goes around the sacred fire thrice after which the groom places a yellow thread around the bride's neck. Following this the Kanyadannam/ Penkoda ceremony takes place where the father of the bride gives away his daughter to the groom. Thereafter the couple touches their foreheads together to symbolize the coming together of minds. Afterwards, the bride offers puffed rice in the ceremonial fire following which the groom places her foot on the grinding stone to symbolize the breaking of old ties and the joining of the two.
POST WEDDING MALAYLEE RITUALS
Grihapravesh
Grihapravesh marks the entry of the new bride in her husband's home wherein they are preceded by lit lamps known as Kudivep.
D.Rama Rao-:The Wedding Planner is based in Tirumala(tirupati), and offers wedding planning services for all of India, with a special focus on tirupati tirumala devasthanam. |