Malayali weddings are a little different from weddings in other parts of India, be it in terms of the bridal look, understated decor or time of nuptials.Their Wedding Tradition Series aims to answer your broad questions about regional ceremonies and their significance, how to dress for different functions and embrace and enjoy another culture. Here, you are invited to experience the various elements of a Hindu Malayali wedding.
Wedding Functions
Nischayam:
The first ceremony after the fixing of the marriage, the ‘Nischayam’ ceremony marks the official engagement where the two families often exchange the matched horoscopes, as well as gifts. This is followed by the ‘Mothiram Maattal,’ which is the ring ceremony.
Mehndi:
The mehndi ceremony at a Malayali wedding commences with the bride’s aunts applying the first few touches of henna to her hands before professional mehndi artists take over with their intricate designs.
Pre-Nuptial Blessing Ceremony:
Held a day before the wedding, the pre-nuptial ceremony involves the bride and groom receiving blessings from their loved ones at functions hosted in their respective homes. It is often followed by a feast.
Madhuparkam:
In this ceremony, the groom’s feet are washed by the bride’s father and other relatives when he arrives for the wedding ceremony. He then presents the bride’s father with a white Kasavu saree that she has to wear during the wedding.
Kanyadaanam:
Much like other Indian cultures, the Malayali wedding includes a giving away ceremony involving the bride. Called ‘Kanyadaanam,’ it is performed around a holy fire called ‘Veli.’ The couple have to take three rounds around it, after which the bride’s father hands the groom a ‘Taali’ (mangalsutra) to tie around the bride’s neck in a ritual known as ‘Taalikettu.’
Sparsham:
In this final ritual, the groom and the bride sit on the ground facing each other with their foreheads touching. The bride pours rice into the holy fire as the priest chants, after which the groom puts the bride’s foot on a grinding stone that symbolizes her leaving her family for a new home.
Sadhya Lunch:
The traditional meal of 25 items served on plantain leaves, the pure vegetarian Sadhya Lunch concludes the wedding festivities.
Kudivep and Griha Pravesh:
Unlike many other cultures, the Malayali weddings do not include a ‘bidaai’ (bridal farewell). Instead, the ritual of ‘Griha Pravesh’ focuses on the happy new chapter of the bride arriving at her new home. The custom of the groom’s mother welcoming the newly-wed couple with ‘diyas’ (earthen lamps) is called ‘Kudivep,’ after which the bride enters the home with her right foot while carrying a lamp which is symbolic of her bringing new light into the house.