A
Malayalee wedding has the rare distinction of being the shortest wedding
ceremony in the entire Indian wedding scene. Yes, rituals are present but only a
handful of them. It is said that the Malayalee language is one of the toughest
languages of the world. Well, can't say the same about their wedding. Short and
sweet perfectly describes a true blue Malayalee wedding.
PRE-WEDDING
RITUALS
Muhurtham:
This ritual refers to the matching of horoscopes of both the prospective bride
and groom wherein the couple's compatibility is checked following which the
muhurtham (auspicious time) for the engagement and the wedding are fixed. The
ritual is presided over by an astrologer.
Nischayam:
This is the formal engagement ceremony which usually takes place at the bride's
place. Traditionally, the bride and the groom are not supposed to take part in
this ceremony but with time, it has changed as nowadays, the couple exchanges
rings on this occasion. Gifts like gold and diamond jewelry, saris and suits
are exchanged between the two families. Guests are treated to a lavish meal
after the ritual.
Sadya and visit to the temple:
A day prior to the wedding, a traditional feast (sadya) is held at the
respective houses of both the bride and the groom. The bride/groom is made to
sit facing the east and is served a traditional five-course meal along with
her/his family members. After the meal, the bride/ groom visits a nearby temple
accompanied by her/his close family members to offer prayers to the Almighty. On
their return to their homes, the bride/groom seeks the blessings from their
elders by touching their feet.
WEDDING
RITUALS
Punyaha:
As the groom arrives at the wedding venue, he is greeted by the bride's brother
who offers him lemon and chandanam (sandalwood). Sacred water brought from a
nearby temple is sprinkled on the groom before he is ushered into the wedding
altar. At the altar, nirapara (a measuring container) filled to the brim with
grains is kept. Also, pookula (an offshoot of the coconut tree from which the
coconut grows) is kept in the nirapara.
Aayiramthiri:
Around the same time inside the bride's room, aarthi is performed with an
aayiramthiri (a lamp with multiple flames). This is supposed to cast off the
evil eye and also purify the bride before the wedding. The aarthi is performed
by a maidservant or an outsider, someone who is not directly related to the
bride.
Kanyadaanam:
The bride's mother and aunts bring the bride to the mandapam. At times, the
bride is already seated when the groom enters the altar. Once the couple is
seated, the father of the bride holds his daughter's hands and places them in
the groom's hands as a gesture suggesting that the bride is now the
responsibility of her husband. Once the ritual of kanyadaanam is over, the bride
and the groom touch his feet and seek his blessings.
Thali kettu:
The most important ritual in a Malayalee wedding, thali kettu takes place at the
muhurtham decided. The bride's aunt hands the thali (mangalsutra) to the priest
for its purification in front of the aayiramthiri. The priest then hands it over
to the groom who ties it around the bride's neck at the most auspicious moment.
They are showered with fresh flowers by the people present. The couple now
exchanges garlands, following which they take their pheras. In a Malayalee
wedding, the pheras (known as pradikshanas) are taken thrice (instead of the
usual seven) around the nirapara (not the sacred fire). The ceremony comes to an
end with the couple seeking blessings from their maternal uncles (of both the
bride and the groom). While doing so, the couple hands over a betel leaf and a
nut to the elders.
Pudava koda:
This is another integral ceremony in a Malayalee wedding. Here, the groom
presents the bride with two sets of clothing. One, a set of traditional Kerala
women's wear pudava and kavani which are bordered with gold-plated threads and
the other, a set of the traditional wedding sari arranged in a thalam
(ornamental plate). The bride immediately changes into the pudava kavani. Later
when she is ready to leave for the groom's house, she changes into the wedding
sari.
Shadharmascharyatham:
This is the last ritual that marks the end of a Malayalee wedding ceremony.
Here, the newlywed couple offers dakshina (token gifts) to the priest for having
guided them throughout the ceremony.
POST-WEDDING
RITUALS
Thiruvathira:
After the wedding ceremony gets over, the couple is taken inside where the
bride's mother offers them milk and bananas. Generally the groom stays over for
the night. At night, ladies perform the thiruvathira wearing cream-colored saris
around the traditional lamp.
Vidai:
The departure of the bride from the wedding venue takes place at the appointed
hour predicted by the priest during the muhurtham. The bride leaves for her new
home after taking the blessings from all the elders.
Kudiveypu:
Kudiveypu literally means making a new home/family. At the threshold of the
groom's house, aarthi of the couple is performed with a traditional lamp. The
bride enters her new home by placing her right foot into it holding the
traditional lamp in her hands. Ganapati pooja is now performed. The bride then
boils milk in the kitchen to herald her inclusion into the new
family.
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