Tamil matrimony customs are typically a conservative and very traditional affair. Each Tamil community has different custom of wedding, though the main events in the wedding do not change much. Marriages these days are becoming brief and there is no exception in Tamil matrimony in India. The old Tamil matrimony customs are still followed in most of the Tamil marriages. Wedding mandaps have taken over houses and guest list are shortened. Marriages take place the whole year except for the months of Aadi, Margali and Puratasi according to Hindu calendar. Although the latest trends have changed the equation of arranged marriage in Tamil society, still arranged marriage is taking its own shape. Nowadays online matchmaking sites are becoming a new trend for new generation.
Tamil Rituals |
Different Ceremonies attributed to Tamil marriage:
The Ponnu Parkal is the first event of the Tamil Matrimony customs i.e. The Bride seeing Ceremony is the beginning event and it takes place at the Brides Home. In this event the bride will be asked to serve food and Coffee to the Groom and his parents. In this occasion the boy will be asked to see the Girl and if the Boy likes the Girl then the next proceeding for the marriage will be started.
The next step in the Tamil Matrimony Customs is the Nitchiyathartham or Engagement. This is arranged by the Grooms Parents. The Grooms parents with all their relatives will go to the bride’s residence to engage the bride for their son.
During this occasion the Tamil Bride and Tamil Groom will exchange rings. In this ceremony the Grooms family will bring a seer consisting of fruits, dry fruits, coconuts, saree, blouse, bangles, mirror and other cosmetics for the bride. The bride dresses up in the clothes brought by the groom and the ceremony goes off in a simple manner. The elders decide the various options for the wedding like the gold to be given to the groom and other seer to be given to the in laws house. This tradition is followed for years and years in Tamil Matrimony Customs.
Wedding day Rituals:
Wedding is the next ceremony to be followed. A traditional custom known as Mapillai Alaiphu is conducted on the previous day evening of the wedding. On this occasion the Groom will be taken to the kalyanamadapam from the nearest temple with Mela thalam as Urvalam. This is a Grand ceremony conducted in each and every Hindu wedding. This is followed by the wedding reception with Music organized by leading Orchestra. Sometimes the Engagement or the Nitchiyathartham took place on this day.
The next day is the main event the Wedding or Muhurtham took place. The Bride and the Groom will be dressed with the new dresses take for the wedding. The Groom will be taken first to the Muhurthamedai to respect his parents with a patha poojai. Later the bride will be taken to the Muhurthamedai to respect his parents with a patha poojai .
Then the groom ties the Thali tied on a yellow thread or thread dipped in turmeric to the bride’s neck. There are three knots the Thali which symbolizes the brides bonding to her husband, her new family and the relatives. The groom ties only the groom’s sister ties the first knot, the rest of the knots.
groom ties Thali |
Then the groom ties the Thali tied on a yellow thread or thread dipped in turmeric to the bride’s neck. There are three knots the Thali which symbolizes the brides bonding to her husband, her new family and the relatives. The groom ties only the groom’s sister ties the first knot, the rest of the knots.
Post wedding Rituals:
The diversity in India is largely reflected through different kind of food, clothing and heritage observed by different communities. The same thing is reflected in Indian marriages. Marriage is a very venerate tradition of India. It is a socially and ritually recognized bond of two individuals. Marriage is considered to be the most memorable event in one’s life and is celebrated with great harmony. Indians choose their life partners mainly for religious, spiritual and economical benefits. You can choose bride or groom of your choice from thousands of profiles without any difficulties.
Those days have totally vanished when associations were sealed in childhood and the bride and groom only saw each other for the first time on the wedding day. The modern generation has seized this freedom from the old and conservative, and their right to choose a life partner for themselves. And considering the fact that though people have less time to substitute, at the same time they also do not want to make wrong decision, the online matrimonial websites in India have become an enormous success.
Click here for more details :
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jiban_Pal/publication/256484632_Review_on_matrimonial_information_systems_and_services_-_an_Indian_perspective/links/02e7e523075959ee80000000.pdf
Click here for more details :
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jiban_Pal/publication/256484632_Review_on_matrimonial_information_systems_and_services_-_an_Indian_perspective/links/02e7e523075959ee80000000.pdf