Pattam is one of the traditional Tamil wedding rituals in a Mudaliyar wedding which is unique. Once the Thali tying ceremony also called the Mangalya Dharanam is completed this ritual takes place.
Weddings are incomplete without the use of floral decorations and garlands. The smell of pungent flowers hanging off ceilings, swaying to the tunes of a Nadaswaram are something that enhance the celebratory mood of the day. However, it is the floral garlands and the garland ceremony called Maalai Matrudhal that holds importance in the wedding rituals. Particularly, in a Tamil Mudaliyar wedding, this ceremony is believed to follow the vedic ritual of exchange of garlands between the bride and groom signifying deeper meanings.
Tamil Mudaliyar weddings are rich in cultural rituals and family traditions. The elders of the family make sure that their family members adhere to all the age-old customs and are always united by a deep sense of family bonding. Hindu Mudaliyar wedding rituals are very interesting to watch and are a matter of pride for the entire family.
Tamil Mudaliyar wedding traditions are well known for all the fun and frolic present. Along with maintaining cultural rituals strictly, they make space for lots of laughter and enjoyment too. The pre-wedding rituals are mostly occasions where the whole family gets together to enjoy a great reunion. The events are planned in such a way that the entire atmosphere is filled with joy and love. One such pre-wedding ritual is the famous Kasi Yatra.
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?
