WEDDING PICTURES
(The Wedding Ceremony)

"VARA PUJA" - The bridegroom's feet are washed in milk and wiped with silk by the bride's father. As a Brahmachari, the groom represents the male principle of Godhead. The design of "Mangal Sutra" or "Thali" varies in families.

                    The Thali rests on the bride's chest, symbolizing that her man occupies her whole
                    being, through her heart. The bride represents the female principle of Godhead
                    -The Shakthi.

"KANYA DHANAM" -                     The bride sits on her                     father's lap and is                     gifted by him to the                     bridegroom. On the                     bride's head, a ring                     made of "Darbha of                     Kusa grass (dried                     grass of sacred                     variety)" is placed.                     Over this a yoke is                     placed. The gold                     "Thali" is placed on                     the aperture of the                     yoke and water                     is poured.

                    The manthras chanted say:
                    "Let this gold multiply your wealth, this water purify your married life. May
                    your prosperity increase. Offer yourself to your husband." The symbolism of
                    yoke is drawn from ancient rural life, where the mode of transport was the
                    bullock cart. It is just as a cart cannot run with one bull, marriage needs
                    both partners to face their responsibilities together.

The bride is then given an auspicious ablution. A new saree called the "Koorai" chosen. Its color is "Arakku (red - the colour assoicated with Shakthi)". The sari is draped around the bride, by the bridegroom's sister, welcoming her. A belt of reed grass is then tied around the bride's waist. The manthras then chanted: May "She standeth here, pure before the holy fire. As one blessed with a good mind, a healthy body, life-long companion-ship of her husband - "Sumangali Bhagyam" and children with long lives. She standeth as one avowing to stand by her husband virtuously. Be she tied with this grass rope to the sacrament of marriage".

                    Thanxgiving vedic hymns follow, to the celestial caretakers of her childhood,
                    the dieties of Soma, Gandharva and Agni. Having attained maturity, she is now
                    free to be given over to the care of her man.
                    The vedic concept underlying this is that, in her infancy, Soma gives her the
                    coolness of moon. Then the Gandharvas gave her playfulness and beauty.
                    And when she becomes a maiden, Agni gave her passions.
                    The bride's father chants:
                    "I offer ye, my daughter: A maiden virtuous, good natured, very wise, decked
                    with ornaments to the best of my abilities. With all that she shall guard thy
                    Dharma, Wealth and Love."
                    The bridegroom reassures the bride's father by saying thrice that he shall
                    remain her companion in joy and sorrow, in this life and life after.

"MANGALYA DHARNAM" -                     The tying of the "Thaali"                     takes place at a                     pre-determined auspicious                     hour. The bride sits                     on her father's lap                     looking eastward while                     the bridegroom faces                     westward. A turmeric                     thread is put around the                     bride's neck. To this                     three knots are tied-                     the first by the

                    bridegroom and the other two by the groom's sister to make the bride a part of
                    their family.
                    The vedic hymn recited by the bridegroom says:
                    "I pray that I be blessed with a long life. I tie this knot, Oh Sowbhagyawati,
                    may providence bestow on you a fulfilling life of a Sumangali for a hundred
                    years!!".
                    As he does so the Nadaswaram is played loudly to muffle any inauspicious sounds.
                    This is called "Getti Melam". Sumangali ladies sing auspicious songs.

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