the journey continues…

The wedding day begins with Mangal Vadyam.
Parents and relatives from bride will welcome the groom and his relatives to the wedding hall.The bride’s parents and other members from her family wash the feet of the groom, his parents and welcome them.One more thing is groom’s sister has to hold a Kalasha ( small pot filled with holy water) and a Mirror (kannadi in kannada) and rice.She has to accompany the groom till the bride comes to Mantapam.
DressCode for bride and groom
The groom wears a silk ‘dhoti’ (a waist to ankle length silk fabric with borders) and an ‘angavastram’ (stole) across his shoulders.He will also wear a Peta( popularly known as Mysore Peta) and will hold a stick in the hand.
Bride wears a silk sari and a uttareeya ( saree folded and tied across her shoulder which should be in white color).She would tie a long hair with flowers which is known as Moggina Jede.
Basinga is tied on the forehead of both bride and groom by the elders which is considered as auspicious.

The wedding ceremony- divided into following segments:
Varamala : The bride is escorted to the mandapam by her uncle.A curtain is put between between them.Then in auspicious muhurtam both of the will exchange the garlands.
KanyaDaanam


Kanya Daanam is performed by the parents of the bride.The father pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bride groom.As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends : dharma, artha, and kama. The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama.
Mangalyadharanam : where the groom will tie the Mangala Sutra i.e sacred yellow thread to the bride.


Mangala Sutra or Thali literally means auspicious thread.It has a great importance in Indian tradition.Its believed that Godess Shri Mahalakshmi resides in the Thali and protects the marriage from any evil.Also three knots used for tying thali symbolize three different aspects of a married woman- the first knot represents her obedience to the husband, the second to parents and the third represents her respect for God.Apart from the mangalsutra, the Toe rings, the Kumkum, bangles and nose ring are also offered to the bride.
All these ceremonies are performed in front of Homa Kundam.Agnideva the fire God, is evoked to witness the proceedings.The priest lights a sacred fire in the presence of the bride and groom.
Paani Grahanam
After Mangalya Dhaaranam, the groom lowers his right palm and encloses it over the right hand of the bride. He covers all the five fingers of the right hand of the bride with his right palm through this act of paani grahanam.He prays for long life, progeny, prosperity and harmony with the bride during their married life.
Laaja Homa is an important part of the wedding.
The bride’s brother gives his sister puffed rice.The groom guides the bride’s hands and the puffed rice is consigned to the sacred fire.This signifies the bridegroom asking the bride to merge completely with her new family.


Sapthapadi
Seven handfuls of rice and coins are placed in the northern periphery of the ‘Mandapam’. As the groom leads the bride to each pile, she places her right toe on it, while he says
‘With this first step be the giver of food’.
‘With this second step be the source of strength’.
‘With this third step be my prosperity’.
‘With this fourth step be my source of happiness’.
‘With this fifth step be the mother of our children’.
‘With this sixth step be my companion in all seasons’.
‘With this seventh step be my friend forever’
So the bride and groom take seven steps together, symbolizing the beginning of their journey through life as partners.

Traditional meal is served on banana leaves.Even if the lunch is served buffet-style, special arrangements are made to seat the groom’s family. The newly wed couple first go around and greet all the guests, serving them sweetmeats, and only after that they proceed for lunch.
Gruhapravesham
Gruhapravesham is the official ceremony where bride enters her marital home.The groom’s mother and sister receive the bridal couple at the doorstep.Groom’s sisters will block them in the door and ask them to sing songs,play some games.Groom has to bribe them then only they will allow the couple to enter.A measuring jar
(Seru) filled with raw rice is kept on the threshold of the main door and the bride is asked to kick it slowly with her right foot and then enter with the husband.She is now officially the daughterinlaw. Women will perform a ‘aarti’ for the couple.
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