Malayalee wedding

The Malayalee wedding customs are observed by Keralites all over the world. Malayalee weddings are generally simple and do not have many religious rites to be performed. As with every Indian wedding a Malayalee wedding too has certain ceremonies to be performed prior to the main day and after also the wedding is over.

The first pre wedding ritual is Muhurtham which is a ceremony wherein the horoscopes of the girl and the boy are studied to fix an auspicious date for the marriage. This is usually done with the help of astrologers. This is followed by another ritual called Nischayam. This is the engagement ceremony wherein it is formally announced that the boy and the girl are engaged. However the boy and the girl do not attend this event and the family and friends of the bride and the groom participate in this. Prior to the wedding there is a traditional feast that is organized at the house of the girl when she has to partake of a meal with her family and it is a custom for her to face eastward while she is eating.

The wedding day rituals are sparked off with the arrival of the groom at the house of the bride, which is the marriage venue. He is clad in an angavastram and a dhoti. He is welcomed into the house by the father of the girl who after escorting him in washes his (groom’s) feet. The latter then gifts a sari to the parents of the bride that the bride would be required to wear it for the marriage rituals.

The rituals on wedding day are simple and short. The marriage is conducted by the family priest. The couple chants Vedic mantras to solemnize the marriage. Prayers are offered to agni, the god of fire. The bride and the groom have to go around the fire three times and after this a yellow thread, tali is tied around the neck of the bride. They then exchange garlands and are decalred man and wife.

This is followed by the Kanyadannam/ Penkoda ceremony in which the bride' father gives his daughter' hand to the groom. The couple then touches their foreheads to signify that there are now together in mind. Another ritual during the marriage day is when the bride offers puffed rice to the sacred fire. After this the groom places the foot of the girl on a grinding stone to signify the breaking away from the old ties. The wedding day rituals ends with an elaborate meal prepared for the guests. A typical traditional meal comprising 25 items is laid for the guests of the wedding. After the wedding there is the Grihapravesh that refers to the welcoming of the new bride into the house of the husband.

The bride is usually decked in the traditional sari called mundu. She also wears elaborate bridal jewelry and fresh flowers. The bridegroom on the other hand is attired in the traditional angavastram and dhoti. He also wears gold bracelets, gold chain and rings. Generally most Malayalee marriages are held in the Chingam month, which is the most auspicious time in their calendar for marriage. Karkatakam, Midhunam and Kanni months are generally avoided for marriage ceremonies.

Author Information:
OccAsianZ | Asian Wedding Planners & Event Management Specialists
For more information please visit OccAsianZ http://www.OccAsianZ.com

Terms:
Articles may be reprinted provided that the content and Author Information is not edited and links are kept live.