Brahmin Iyengar

Grihapravesham or griha pravesh pooja is the entry of the new bride into her in-law's place. Usually, weddings in India, especially in South India are conducted in a marriage hall. A marriage hall is designed in such a way that there are specific rooms for the bride's family and the groom's family. If the groom stays in the same town/city where the wedding is conducted then the newly wedded bride is taken to the in-law's house by her parents.

Tamil Iyengar Brahmin weddings are considered to be a serious affair with chanting of mantras and a list of rituals. However, there are some fun aspects too in traditional brahmin weddings, and one of them is called Vilayadal which means games. These wedding games are played for various reasons mainly to break the ice between the bride and the groom, as earlier most of the marriages were arranged and couples would hardly have met each other. This ritual is also a great way to know both sides of the relatives better.

Once the Saptapadi is over, as per the Iyengar wedding traditions, the newlyweds seek blessings from their parents and parents-in-law. Then, the couple seeks the blessings of the Acharya or the priest as in Hindu culture, the teacher or guru plays an essential part in one's life. At weddings, the priest takes the place of the teacher. Following the teacher, the newlyweds proceed to seek the blessings of the maternal uncle and other elders in the family. 

The Saptapadi (7 steps) ritual is conducted after the Mangalya Dharanam and holds a significant place in a Tamil Iyengar wedding. ‘Sapta’ means seven and 'Padi' means steps. After the Thali is tied, the newlyweds take seven steps around the holy fire or Agni Kundam. After the completion of these seven steps, the couple becomes husband and wife. Read on to understand the significance of Saptapadi Ritual: 

Thali Bhagya And ‘Handing Over’ 

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.  

Kashi Yatra rituals are comical and interesting where the groom gets a chance to escape matrimony by deciding to walk out of the marriage and take up sanyasa (sanyasa is a stage where an individual lets go of everything in the material life and accepts spiritual path to be his way of life).