One of the fun-filled rituals organized by the groom’s family is the thengai uruttal ritual. In this, the bride and groom will be sitting facing each other.
Procedure for Thengai Uruttal Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Weddings
After organizing a grand wedding the families of the bride and groom make preparations for the post-wedding celebrations and the Sammandhi Mariyathai is one such Iyer wedding traditions. While Grihapravesham is a common post-wedding ritual that happens in almost all Hindu weddings, this Sammandhi Mariyathai ritual is one of the kinds which is done in Tamil Brahmin weddings. After the completion of the wedding ceremony, the bride gets ready to leave for her new house. The ritual happens at that time.
Saptapadi is the seven steps around the sacred fire that stands as a witness for the couple’s wedding. The marriage is considered complete only after completion of this ritual in Tamil Iyer wedding. Fire is considered the most important and sacred element among the Pancha Bhootas. This is because fire holds the power to destroy anything evil and provide purity. So the couple respects the sacred fire and takes seven rounds around the fire and prays for eternal happiness.
Significance of Saptapadi Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Weddings
After the kanyadaanam ritual, comes the most important ritual called mangalya dharanam or thaali kettu followed by panigrahanam. In the Kasi yatra ritual, the bride’s father promises the groom that he will give his kanya (unmarried) daughter to him in marriage. Immediately after the kasi yatra, kanyadaan takes place in which the girl is offered to the groom in marriage and then the actual wedding ritual happens in mangalya dharanam after which the bride and groom are declared as husband and wife.
One of the most important ceremonies in any Iyer wedding ceremony is Kanyadaanam. Kanyadaanam is considered as one of the biggest Danams (donations) in the Puranas. This Kanyadaan ritual happens right after the Oonjal ceremony.
What Happens in Kanyadaanam Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Weddings?
Oonjal or Unjal in English means a swing which is an interesting ritual in a Tamil Brahmin Iyer wedding. This ritual takes place after the malai matrudal. A traditional swing is decorated with beautiful flowers and ornaments for the bride and groom to be seated.
What Happens during the Oonjal Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer weddings?
Maalai Maatrudal means ‘exchange of garlands’. This is one of the wedding rituals in Tamil Iyer weddings that has a fun element attached to it. The families of both the groom and bride take an active part in this custom.
What Happens during Maalai Maatrudhal Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Wedding?
Pada Puja vidhi muraigal (the rituals of pada pooja) is an important ritual in a Tamil Brahmin Iyer wedding. It happens just before the actual wedding ceremony. ‘Pada’ means feet and ‘pooja’ means performing the prayer rituals.
Procedure for Pada Pooja Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Weddings
This ceremony starts after the groom is welcomed to the mandap
Kashi Yatra ritual is a traditional event where the groom pretends to leave for Kashi to gain more knowledge and become a saint instead of entering the Grihastha Ashrama (married life) but is lured back by the bride's family to get married. It is a fun custom which starts when the groom’s party arrives at the wedding venue or on the wedding day. The groom pretends to leave for Kashi to become a scholar. At that time the bride’s father stops him and offers the groom his daughter.
This is the sole wedding ritual that is done only by the bride on her wedding day. After taking the purifying bath also known as the Mangala Snaanam the bride will offer her prayers to Goddess Gauri. Since goddess Gauri is the mother of the whole world, the bride offers her prayers to the Goddess and asks her to give the same strength, a peaceful, prosperous, and a healthy married life.
Significance of Gauri Pooja in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Weddings
There are many tales as to why a bride performs Gauri Puja but notable among them are two.
