India is a land
of diversity, which confides in itself, a number of religions, cultures and
colors. The country offers a variety in everything from food to clothing style,
religions to cultures, languages to colors and many others. It is popular
across the world because of its variant features and therefore attracts
tourists from around the globe. Cultures, traditions, rituals practiced in
India are very unique and every culture has something different to offer. The
festivals and the customs add vivacity in the lives of the people and they
celebrate each festival with full enthusiasm. One of the functions, which are
celebrated with great positivity and sacredness, is matrimonies in the family.
Due to the presence of different cultures, the country also witnesses a number
of matrimony types. One of the matrimonial practices in India is Tamil
Matrimony, which is celebrated among the people of Tamil origin.
Marriage brings together two people from
different backgrounds and binds them in a lifelong bond. The ceremonies and the
rituals followed in the Tamil
Matrimony are based on the vision to make the couple understand the meaning
of their sacred knot. This is the basic fact, which differentiates any Indian
marriage from marriages across the world. In India, marriage is a lifelong
affair, a commitment which the bride and groom makes to each other for being
together till the time of their death. Brides are to be considered as
‘ardhangini’ of her husband, which means half the part of his soul, also
referred as one soul, two bodies.
Tamil
matrimonies are known to be very beautiful, yet simple. They do not believe in
the concept of flashy and loud weddings. Tamil matrimonial practice is famous
as a ceremony, where people are highly considerate about the accuracy of the
methodologies in which wedding rituals are performed. Like all other marriages,
relatives from far and near are invited in a Tamil matrimony to become a part
of the bride and groom’s happiness. A number of rituals and functions mark the
completion of the wedding ceremony of Tamilians. Below is a brief description
of the ceremonies practiced in Tamil matrimony.
A Tamil
Matrimony begins with a ritual called Panda Kaal Muhurtham. In this the closest
relatives of the Bride and the Groom gather at a place to pray for a successful
and an uninterrupted wedding of their children. This ceremony commences the
preparations for wedding, after which all the shopping and other preparations
are made.
Few days before
the actual Tamil matrimony, the groom is invited by the Tamil bride’s family
where a traditional arti is recited at the home of the bride. The groom is
presented with various sweets, and he is treated lavishly by the bride’s
family. Rose water is sprinkled on him and the custom of breaking the coconut
is also performed to keep the couple away from all the evils. A traditional
prayer known as ‘Vratham’ is also carried out before the Tamil matrimony.
A ritual called
Pallikai Thellichal is performed where sacred water is showered over the nine
clay pots which are filled with various grain types. This process is carried
out by the married women of the family. After one day, these pots are put in
the pond so that the Tamil couple gets to earn the blessings and good wishes
from the fishes which eat the different grains filled in the pots. ‘Naandi’ is
also practiced wherein gifts are distributed to some Brahmins, which is done to
again seek blessings from sacred souls.
Nicchiyadharatham
and Lagna Pathirigai’ i.e. engagement and Ganesh Pooja are performed. Both the
ceremonies are carried out in front of a priest. On the final day of Tamil
matrimony oil and turmeric paste is applied on the body of the bride and groom
after which they are made to take an auspicious bath known as Mangala Snaanam.
Before meeting his Bride on the day of wedding, the Tamil groom plays an act,
where he acts like going to Kashi yatra. It forms a part of the ritual where
the bride’s father makes a request to him for not going for Kashi yatra and
gives a promise to tie the wedding knot of his daughter with him.
The Tamil bride
and groom, then performs the most famous custom, i.e., exchanging garlands.
After this, ceremonies like Onjhal, Kanyadaanam and saptapadi are practiced,
marking the completion of the Tamil matrimony.
Gurleen Kaur writes on behalf of Jeevansathi.com, which is India’s
fastest growing matrimonial website. Jeevansathi.com helps the users to search corresponding
matches from their respective community like Ezhava
Matrimonial
from their online
matrimonial and matchmaking services.