The weddings are often performed in a northwestern room or a corner of the marriage venue. A Malayalee wedding is a study in simplicity that doesn`t involve much religious compulsions; rather spirituality is the key.
The costumes of Malayalee wedding
The bride usually wears a light colored or pastel colored saree with gorgeous border and aanchal. She puts on heavy gold jewelleries and white flowers in her hair. The groom wears white, silk Punjabi and dhoti.
Pre Wedding Rituals
Deep mores and age-old traditional pre wedding rituals make Malayalee wedding a grand ceremony.
Muhurtham Ritual or match making: Horoscope match is a significant ritual in a traditional Malayalee wedding .The compatibility between the girl and boy is checked by calling the priest and if the horoscopes match, then an auspicious date or Muhurathan is selected.
Nischayam Ceremony: Nischayam is basically an engagement ceremony, in which the elders make the announcement to their family and friends about their child`s engagement but the prospective bride and groom do not attend this occasion.
Traditional Feast: On the day before wedding, a special traditional feast is prepared. It is served to all the guests at the bride`s house. The bride is made to sit facing the east and she takes a traditional five-course vegetarian meal with her family members.
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding ceremony is pretty colorful. With a number of rituals the wedding ceremony of Malayalee wedding echoes the enigma of India.
Madhuparkam Ceremony: In a Malayalee wedding, usually the girl wears a two-piece sari, known as Mundu. The bride is adorned with flowers and jewelry. The groom dresses up in traditional dhoti and angavastram. As a part of ritual, the bride`s father washes his son-in-law`s feet and gives him a warm welcome. The groom gives his father-in-law an off white color sari that the bride wears for the nuptials.
Veli Ceremony: The actual nuptial ceremony, which takes place in front of the sacred fire, is named Veli. After the couple takes three rounds around the fire, the groom ties the `Taali` that is strung on the yellow thread around the bride`s neck. After this ceremony Kanyadaanam or Penkoda ceremonies take place, in which the bride`s father hands over her responsibility to the boy.
Sparsham Ritual: Sparsham follows the completion of Kanyadaanam. As a part of this ritual, the groom is made to sit in front of the bride. He is asked to tilt his head, so as to touch his wife`s forehead. After this, while chanting mantras, the bride puts some puffed rice into the fire. The groom is then asked to lift his wife`s foot and place it on the Ammi (grinding stone). It represents the breaking of old ties. Thereafter, the groom takes the bride`s foot forward seven times with his hand. It symbolizes her entry into the new family.
Post Wedding Rituals
The different types of post wedding rituals further complete the Malayalee wedding ceremony.
Kudivep and Grihpravesh: After the completion of wedding ceremony, a delicious vegetarian meal is served. The newly weds then leave for their house, where oil lamps are lit to welcome them. This ceremony is called Kudivep. The bride makes entry into the groom`s house in a ceremony called Grihpravesh.
More on Marriage System in Indian States
More on Indian Wedding Accessories
More on Indian Religious Weddings
More on Types of Marriages
See also
