How Long Is a Tamil Wedding Ceremony?
A Tamil marriage ceremony begins 4-5 days before the wedding. During this time, extended family members visit the bride and groom. The Iyer then performs a pooja for the bride and groom. During the pooja, the groom carries a plough and the bride carries a pot with Kanji. The couple then plants a few seedlings together.
The horoscope matching ceremony is a very important part of the Tamil wedding. The horoscopes of the bride and groom are matched according to the guidelines of the Vedas. The marriage date and the precise moment for the ceremony are determined by the horoscopes. The marriage agreement is drafted by the priests of both sides. It is then exchanged with the bride's family and exchanged through a coconut and banana platter. Gifts are also exchanged between the families.
Another important ritual of the Tamil Wedding is the Mangala Snanam (turban ceremony). This is a sacred paste made of turmeric, kumkum, and sandalwood. It is used to bless the newlyweds and give them the promise of a lifetime together.
After the bride and groom arrive at the wedding venue, the bride and groom perform a number of purification rituals before the marriage ceremony. The bride's parents gift their daughter to the groom's family. After the bride receives the gift, the groom presents the bride with the koorai (the bride's turban) and Thaali (the bride's bridal garment). The newlyweds then meet their guests and exchange their wedding garlands.
Following the wedding, a formal reception is held. During the reception, guests are served a traditional Tamil vegetarian meal. The newlyweds are then invited to the stage where they greet each guest. They exchange gifts with their families and receive blessings from elders.
Another pre-wedding ritual is the lagnapatrikai. During this ceremony, the bride and groom receive a nine-yard silk saree. The bride's parents also apply vermillion on her hair parting. The bride then changes into her new saree and returns to the temple for more rituals. The thaali is blessed by the priest and tied around the bride's neck. The bride's sister ties the first two knots while the groom puts the final knot.
The bride's family will greet her as a member of the family. The groom will also take her to his home. The ceremony will conclude with a traditional feast served on banana leaves. Afterwards, the couple will celebrate the wedding with the wedding party and traditional games.
