Janavasam is the procession of the bridegroom’s family that starts from the groom’s home and ends at the marriage hall. It is a grand procession and the groom is welcomed with nadaswaram and crackers. Family and friends of the groom dance and sing along the procession route till the wedding venue. It is similar to the Baarat function conducted in North Indian weddings. In the early days, the janavasam started from the groom’s house to the bride’s house (where the weddings used to take place). Almost the entire village population used to participate in the procession.
The Procedure For Janavasam Ritual in Tamil Brahmin Iyer Wedding
Usually, a fancy Janavasam car, which is nothing but a flower-decked open car is used for the groom's procession to the Mandapam but based on the boy's preference a vehicle is chosen. In the olden days, an open car was used so that all the relatives of the bride will be able to see the bridegroom and inform of any negative things about him, if any, to the bride’s family ahead of the wedding.
Today, people use chariots, elephants, horses, etc. for Bollywood inspired galatta (tamasha)!
On Reaching the Wedding Location...
- The bride is brought outside by her friends and cousins to get a glimpse of her prince charming
- The Nadaswaram (traditional wind instrument) is played to welcome the groom and his family to the venue
- The procession is received by the groom's side by performing an Aarthi and breaking of coconut to remove bad omen
- Most of the Nichayathartham rituals are repeated in this ceremony
- Bride and groom's families sit opposite to each other and a 'Lagna Patrika' is written and read by the priest
- Both families exchange Thamboolam which consists of betel leaves, nuts, fruits, turmeric, kumkum, and coconut
- A special sweetmeat called the Parupputhengai which is a common fixture in all ceremonies is exchanged among the families
- The bride’s brother garlands the groom and gifts him with clothes and jewelry
- Likewise, the groom’s sister will give gifts to the bride
After this, both the bride and groom seek blessings from elders in the family and it is followed by evening tiffin with family & friends.