The Tamil Chettiar Community is an intelligent creed with sharp business sense and are successful in all their endeavours. Belonging to the state of Tamil Nadu, the Chettiar community upholds their cultural values and family traditions even today. The older generation is very particular in passing on their valuable knowledge in traditional matters to the young people in the family. One can observe the authenticity of their customs in every ceremony they conduct. Their functions are examples of rich heritage and tradition. Each ceremony in the Tamil Chettiar wedding is unique and has a significant meaning.
Significance of Kumbuttu Kattikolluthal Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Weddings
The Tamil Chettiar wedding ceremonies are many and the entire function takes place in 3 to 6 days. All the functions are held with the utmost care and enjoyment. There is a special ceremony held towards the end of the wedding. This is when the bride is about to leave her house and move towards her new home. This event is called the kumbittu kattikolluthal in Chettiar kalyanam. Kumbuttu means praying and kattikolluthal means giving a hug - so kumbuttu kattikolluthal means taking the blessing of elders and giving them a goodbye hug.
The elders of the family give their beloved daughter a baby idol of Lord Krishna - Kulam Valum Pillai (the child who extends the paternal lineage). The bride falls at their feet seeking blessings. The elders pass along blessings and hope for the prosperous continuation of their community through the new couple. They say prayers of fertility and health for the upcoming generations.
All the ceremonies of the Tamil Chettiar community show the strong family bonding among the entire creed. The Chettinad marriage rituals bring together both families and they are united through a new bond that is now formed through the couple. The Chettiar community is always proud of its family values and will do everything they can to keep the bonds strong and peaceful.