Seeking Blessings From The Lord
After the wedding date is fixed, the first major function conducted in a Madhwa marriage is the Devara Samaraadhane which is essentially offering prayers, singing Kannada songs and seeking blessings from the ‘Family Deity’ for the marriage event to be conducted successfully. This ritual is conducted by both the bride and the groom’s family separately.
Procedure for Devara Samaraadhan Ritual in Kannada Brahmin Madhwa Weddings
In this Pre-wedding ritual, the pooja room in the house is cleaned, all the gods are cleaned, utensils and other things in the Puja room are washed the previous day. The next morning, which is the day of the Devara Samaaradhane, a huge rangoli(a colourful design made with rice flour) is drawn in front of the house. A Chappara (thatch) is installed in front of the house and tied with Mavina soppu (mango leaves) and decorated with colourful flowers. Slaked lime or ‘sunna’ is applied to the Chappara as part of the puja.
The bride and groom walk along with the Kalashagithi (the sister of the groom who carries the Kalasha) and have Ennae Shastra (oil bath) in their respective houses. For the oil bath, a plank made of a wood called the 'hase mane' is placed facing the east and a rangoli is applied in front of it. Muthaide (married woman whose husband is alive) in the house will conduct the ritual of applying oil to their head and also do an aarti. The bride is then given a saree called ‘Malaniru Saree’ which is a gift from the girl’s parents. The purohit then does the Devara pooja and other related poojas. A festive array of food with bele obbattu (food on plantain leaf) is prepared for lunch.