Almost every beginning is marked with a prayer to the ever-loving Lord Ganesha or Ganapati, the remover of obstacles. Praying to this deity is believed to bless the start of any auspicious event- whether it’s a purchase of new land or the union of a couple.
While Tamil matrimony traditions may come off as lengthy, it has some of the most profound rituals with deep meaning that have been maintained over time. The Mudaliar traditions for weddings are applicable to both bride and grooms equally and are performed separately or together. The first wedding ritual that is followed by this community on the day of the wedding is the Yennai Seekai nalangu. This purifying ritual is performed by the bride and groom in their respective rooms or on the wedding dias early in the morning.
The Mappilai Azhaippu tradition in the Tamil Mudaliyar community is an interesting one with its rituals. The word 'Mappilai' directly means Son-in-law in this reference it means the bridegroom, while the word ‘Azhaippu’ leans towards the meaning of welcoming or calling. In essence, this Tamil Mudaliar tradition involves the ritual where the groom is invited to the mandap where he is to marry his bride. However, the entire process of bringing him there is what makes it interesting and has a profound meaning to it.
South Indian weddings are rich in rituals aimed at giving an auspicious start to the couple for a lifelong journey together. A Tamil Mudaliar Matrimony starts with a Nichayathartham or an engagement which opens the plethora of ceremonies that then take place at both the bride and groom’s houses, individually. These rituals are attended and actively participated in by all family members, making it a series of mini celebrations in itself.
Mudaliyar weddings are interesting as there are many rituals which involve the entire family. This is the perfect time to bond with family members and is a great occasion to have fun and excitement.
One special event that marks the beginning of the wedding celebrations in the Mudaliyar families is the ritual called Pandal Kaal. It takes place after the Nitchayathartham and three days before the wedding. The function is carried out in both the groom's as well as the bride's home.
Mudaliyars are born leaders and take their responsibilities very seriously. They are a loving community where ceremonies are conducted as per age-old traditional rituals. The Tamil Mudaliyar wedding is full of rituals and customs that bring the entire families together.
The engagement ceremony is called Nichayathartham or Poo Vaithal. The Nadar engagement ritual is the first pre-marriage event conducted and holds a lot of significance. It is conducted after the families have met and the prospective bride and groom meet to confirm that they like each other. This ceremony acts as a confirmation of the marriage and the marriage date is agreed upon during this ceremony.
A Tamil Nadar wedding is full of traditional splendour and joyful get-togethers. They are a community that believes strongly in holding their customs and rituals close to the heart. There are no shortcuts in any of the wedding rituals. The Nadar caste rituals have a significant meaning and importance in the life of the new couple. All these rituals are strictly followed with prayers and blessings all the way.
The Tamil Chettiar traditions include many customs and rituals which display their traditional heritage and social values. Tamil nagarathar wedding customs are very interesting and unique. It should be mentioned that the Nagarathas belong to 9 temples in Tamil Nadu. The bride and groom should belong to different temples and the wedding should get the approval of both the temples.
A well-known business community that is famous for their splendour and gaiety during every ceremony, the Tamil Chetttiars certainly know how to bring people together. The functions and festivities at their place describe in detail the richness of their culture. Attending a Tamil Chettiar wedding is certainly an experience that one is likely to remember forever. This particular clan whose origins can be traced back to 700AD shows the value of family bonding and unity at every occasion.
