Mangala Vaazhthu is a very special wedding song that is recited during all Kongu Vellalar Gounder weddings and is one of the age-old traditional wedding rituals. 

The Tamil Kongu Vellalar kalyanam (wedding) is celebrated for three consecutive days. Here we can find a brief about what happens on those three days of the wedding. 

Much like the other communities, the Lagna Patrika in Tamil means a traditional marriage invitation card which is given in-person to close relatives. In the earlier days, the wedding used to be conducted only at the bride’s place and hence only close family and community members used to be invited. Traditionally, the invitation cards were distributed by the Kudimagan (citizen) who represents the bride or the groom’s family to extend an invitation on behalf of them. 

Once the bride and groom families decide on the marriage they consult their respective family priests to look for an auspicious day for Nichayadhaartham Ritual (Gounder Engagement Rituals). On the selected day, the bridegroom’s family, relatives, and friends go to the bride’s house. During this function, both parties sit opposite to each other and discuss details of the marriage. A plate with flowers mostly strands of jasmine, fruits mostly two bananas with their stem attached, areca nut, and betel leaves are placed between them to start the discussion. 

Pre-wedding rites is the next step in Gounder weddings after Sagunam parthal. The traditions followed in a Tamil Gounder wedding is based on the old Sangam way. In marriages which follow the Sangam period, the holy fire or Agni Kundam is not kept and Vedic hymns are not chanted. 

Once the Porutham parthal is complete (potential bride and groom’s horoscopes are mutually exchanged, matched and consented), the next pre wedding step is Sagunam Parthal(Looking out for good omens). Gounder weddings give great importance to favourable omens to move forward with the next steps towards the wedding. 

The Kanyadaan ritual happens on the day of the wedding. It is the most emotional and highly valued one as it unifies the couple into one. The word Kanyadaan means that the precious unmarried daughter of the family handed over to the groom. The word ‘Kanya’ means unmarried virgin girl, ‘Daanam’ means giving away (donating), hence the name. 

Oonjal is one ceremony that is a delight for everyone who is involved in the wedding. The oonjal/unjal (swing in English) ceremony generally takes place right after the exchange of garlands once the groom returns after Kasi Yatra. 

Poo Maalai translates into flower garland in Tamil and Maatrudhal means exchange. Exchange of garlands or maalai maattrudhal is one of the rituals associated with a Tamil Brahmin Iyengar wedding. It happens before the wedding and after the 'Mapillai Azahaipu".

Every ritual during the marriage has its meaning and signifies ideal values to be followed in order to lead a happy married life.  The age-old traditions and diverse rituals during an Iyengar marriage have their unique meaning attached to it. A ritual that takes place during an Iyengar marriage is the Pada Puja done by the bride's father for the bridegroom. Many would think as to why an older adult is doing Pada puja to the groom who is much younger than him, but there is a significance to this unique ritual as well.