Tamil Chettiars have been known to celebrate every function in splendour. Their wedding celebrations are once in a lifetime events that are unique and should not be missed under any circumstances. If you have been to a Tamil Nadu Chettiar wedding, you would have experienced some unforgettable days where relatives, friends and family members get together and share the joy of uniting a new couple in marital bliss.

The Tamil Chettiar Community has roots that can be traced back to 700 AD. They are a group of people with strong business sense and are very particular about upholding cultural traditions. A Tamil Chettiar Wedding is a grand affair with meaningful rituals and ceremonies.

Vaevu Irakkuthal Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Weddings was set up during the olden days for the bride's side to display food grains, vegetables, and other items that they will send along with the bride to the groom’s house. These items are received by the groom's side. It is a custom of sharing the wealth by the bride's family with her in-laws. The baskets traditionally consisted of rice and brinjal but there is no limit to what the bride’s family can send along with their daughter. It is purely the decision of the bride and her parents.

This is one of the important ceremonies of the wedding. The maternal uncles play an important role in Hindu weddings which shows love among the family. 

The cultural heritage of the Chettiar community can be traced back to 700 AD. This community has always been seen and respected as an epitome of pride and power. They have proved their position in the business world and are forever striving towards progress and prosperity. The Chettiar community strongly believes in tradition and is famous for upholding age-old customs. They pay great respect to their ancestral heritage and are firm in their cultural belief system. Hence all the rituals are followed in any function, be it a Chettinad marriage, housewarming, child naming ceremony, etc.

Mappillai (Groom) Azhaippu (to invite) means inviting the groom to the bride’s house or the Kalyana mandapam (wedding hall). This event is a traditional welcome to the Chettiar groom and family prior to the wedding. On the day of the marriage, the family of the groom arrives at the bride's town or village. But they do not stay or visit the bride's house as traditionally the bride and groom are not supposed to see each other before the wedding. Usually, they wait at a community hall or a temple and wait to be invited by the bride's family.

Worshipping the ancestors and family members who are no longer alive is a culture that has been followed all over the world. The same is true in Tamil Nadu India culture too. A ‘Podhu’ or general Padaippu is an event in Tamil Chettiar Matrimony where different families gather to honour their ancestors whereas a Veedu Padaippu is conducted for a marriage where a single-family honour their ancestors prior to the wedding to seek their blessings. The meaning of the word Padaippu in English is 'offering' and the word 'Veedu' is a house.

This is one of the few pre-wedding rituals that take place during a Chettiar wedding. After finalizing the marriage date, Muhurta Kaal Undruthal is done four to five days before the wedding. This is the first pooja that officially starts off the wedding rituals. A pundit or priest is invited to perform the pooja. It is usually conducted in the presence of 9 married elderly ladies of the family.

Procedure for Muhurtha Kaal Undruthal Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Wedding 

Celebration & Meal Go Hand-in-Hand
No wedding ceremony is complete without a grand meal. Most of the time, the meals served are an important reminder of the community and the customs associated with the wedding. 

The Kongu Vellalar Gounder community has a rich history as they are known to be the descendants of proud warriors who were engaged in battles during the Chera and Chola reign in South India. They are a group who follow family traditions and take their responsibilities very seriously. They have very interesting age old Tamil wedding traditions, which bring the whole family together and provide great support for the new couple. All traditions and ceremonies followed during the three-day-long wedding instill a sense of close bonding and deep-rooted affection between both families.