We all know South Indian Weddings are different from those solemnized in Northern India. No doubt, Tamil people pay a lot of stress on simple living that can also be acknowledged in their wedding ceremonies. Though marriage is a once in a lifetime moment, yet they keep it simple yet beautiful to be a part of. Tamil weddings represent old traditional wedding rituals and customs which extensively display the heritage imbibed from Vedas.

Tamilian weddings are not extravagant affair yet they are lavish in their own ways which make everyone fall to its simplicity and elegance. Read the article to know about sacred Tamil wedding rituals that take place before the wedding ceremony.

Firstly, elders from a respective family of girl and boy find a suitable match for their children after matching horoscope and family status.

Significant Pre Wedding Rituals:

• Panda Kaal Muhurtham

This special pre-wedding ritual takes place a day before the wedding in a house of bride and groom respectively. In this ritual, a bamboo pole is placed on the entrance and families of bride and bridegroom offer prayers to God so that the wedding may happen peacefully without any hindrance.

• Sumangali Prarthanai

The term sumangali refers to married women who are leading a happy, harmonious and prosperous married life. These women are generall odd in number like 3, 5 or 7. According to customs, prayers are offered to sumangalis to seek blessings by the bride to be for happy marital life. All the sumangalis have to wear madisar for being a part of this puja. South Indian fest is served on banana leafs to all the sumangalis after the puja is being conducted.

• Pallikai Thellichal

In this unique ritual, seven pots decorated with sandalwood are filled with nine types of grains along with curd which are later immersed in the water to feed the fishes. It is considered that feeding the fish is auspicious for the couple for holy matrimony.

• Naandi Shrardham

According to traditions, in this ritual, eight or 10 brahmins are invited for an authentic south Indian fest. It is organized by both the families of bride and groom to pray to the souls of ancestors and to seek blessings of them. They offer paan, supari, sweets, coconut, flowers, fruits, veshti amgavastram to all the brahmins are requested to bless the couple for healthy married life.

• Nicchiyatharatham

It is also called engagement Ceremony. Ritual of Nicchiyatharatham begins by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha at bride’s home. The groom’s family visit the bride’s home and gifts her new saree, jewellery, and other necessary items. The kumkum and Chandan tilak is applied on the forehead of would be bride and brother of bride puts tilak on groom’s forehead. The would-be couple then exchanges rings in front of the people present there.

Hope you would like the unusual Tamil pre-wedding rituals. Do Wait for the next article to know about the rituals that take place on the wedding day in a Tamilian wedding.