The Tamil Mudaliyar's rituals are all conducted after checking an auspicious time. The Tamil calendar and Panchamgam are used by astrologers to find an auspicious time. According to tradition, if things are done at the right time the Celestial forces will all be in your favor and thus lead to success and hence Hindu matrimony is conducted only at those times. The groom tying the Mangalyam around the neck of the bride is the final and most vital aspect of the wedding ceremony in a Tamil Mudaliar Wedding.
The Tamil Mudaliyar Mangalyam
The Mangalyam thread has 108 strings which are dipped in turmeric. A Thaali (Mangalsutra) made of gold which resembles the tooth of a tiger is placed in the middle. During the olden days, the groom for a Mudaliar bride was chosen for his strength and valor. Prospective Mudaliyar bridegrooms were sent on a Tiger Hunt. The man who killed the tiger was declared as a courageous man. The brave man pulled out the Tiger’s tooth and tied it around the neck of his bride and they became husband and wife! In the civilised society today, the tiger tooth is replaced with gold but the shape of it remains the same. The present trend also sees brides changing the threaded version of the chain to gold for convenience. However, this is done in a separate ritual post the wedding celebrations. On the D-Day tying the 108 stringed thread is still in practice.
Mangalya Dharanam Ritual in Tamil Mudaliyar Weddings - How it Unfolds
- An auspicious time called Shubha-Muhurtham is noted down by the family members and the first knot of the Mangalyam is tied at this specific time.
- The groom ties the Mangalyam thread around his bride with three knots
- Nadhaswaram and getti melam (fast beating of drums) are played during when the groom ties the knots announcing to those gathered that the actual knot-tying ceremony is taking place
- The elders present for the ceremony walk towards the dais and bless the couple by showering them with flowers and rice mixed with turmeric.
After the Thali tying ceremony is completed a few more post-wedding rituals like exchanging the garland, etc take place.