The lesser-known wedding rituals

NAAKABALI – BLESSING THE COUPLE

• In this ritual, the groom’s mother gives  a  saree to the  bride while the bride’s father give pancheshalya to the  groom which the couple wear for this
• Ganesha puja is conducted initially.
• In some customs, another ‘Mangalya’ is tied by the groom to the bride amidst mangalavadya.
• 5 banana leaves are arranged one in front of anotherand Chanadaal,papad and betel leaves   are kept.
• The bride’s brother holds a knife inserted into a lemon.This is said to ward off evils.
• The bride’s mother holds a folded blouse piece with a plate of 5 deepa made of wheat flour on her head.
• The bride’s mother and her brother go around the couple praying to the ‘Ashtadikhas” or eight directions seeking their blessings and promising to be with them always.

• Sometimes 5 ladies also go around them.They are later on given betel leaves and
• This event signifies that the girl’s parents are always there for her even after the marriage.

• After this the ‘UppuAane’ and ‘Akkiaana’ shastra is carried out.
• A sketch of two elephants are drawn and little salt/Toor Dhaland moreof rice is placed on the sketch.

• Just as rice and saltblend together in correct proportion, the lives of the couple should blend harmoniously.
• The bride and the groom are made to stand holding hands and are made to say sweet words to each other.

• The relatives enjoy this moment, taunting the couple.
• Also the bride’s brother offers betel leaves and nuts to the couple,which is considered significant  as they are eligible to eat “Yeleadike’ now onwards.

SOBALAKKI SHASTRA– TAVARU MANE’S BLESSINGS

• This event assures that the ‘Tavaru Mane’ (Bride’s parents house) is always there for supporting the bride and wishing the bride to lead a long and happy life with her husband.
• The bride is offered milk and palhara and then made to sit on a peeta.
• The Sobalakki items like Rice, Jaggery, sweets, Chakli, Hurgalu, Mangala dravya, fruits are arranged in front of her.
• A blouse piece is placed on her lap.Nowadays, a decorative sobalakki bag is available, where the mother of the bride fills it with all these sobalakki items.

• This shastra is also called’ Udi thumboshastra’.Thissobalakki bag has to be carried to her inlaws’s house.
• Normally while filling the daughter’s madilu with all happiness, ladies singsampradaya songs.
• These are nostalgic memories which are captured.

HENNU OPPISUVA SHASTRA- GIVING AWAY THE DAUGHTER

• This is an emotional event of the marriage where the daughter, the jewel of the parents is handed over to the groom’s family.
• The groom and his parents are made to sit on a chair.
• The bride’s father entrusts his daughter to them by making her sit on each one’s lap.
• The father requests them to look after his jewel, which is a very emotional moment for the girl’s parents.

• The elderly members of the groom’s side are also invited and showered with gifts.
• They too bless the couple.
• Lots of sweets and savories are offered as ‘Kshematandalu’ to the groom’s side.

ARUNDHATHI NAKSHATRA-SPOTTING THE STAR

• The couple is taken outside the choultry and is made to view the Arundhathi star in the sky.

• A Morada bhaginais also made ready referred to as Arundhathibhagina has given to girl’s mother

• Arundhati is a star visible in the Saptarishi mandala. Arundhathi was known for her chastity and virtuousness while Dhruva is apole star which is steadfast in its position. This is the relation cited with regards to the couple so that they can emulate those qualities.

GRUHAPRAVESHA – BRINGING HOME THE BRIDE

• The bride is taken to the Bheegaramane, the room where the groom’s party were welcomed.
• The couples are made to stand at the threshold and aarathi is performed.
• A decorated ‘seru’ filled with rice along with jaggery is kept at the right side of the threshold.

• The bride kicks this seru gently and enters the room with the sobalakki bag, signifying that she will the house  with happiness.
• Sobalakki bag is placed near the family deity photo. Lakshmi puja is conducted.
• The couple is made to sit, and a cradle is placed in front of them.
• Decorated pattadgombe or the marapachi dolls are given to them.

• The naming of the baby, sharing family responsibility with the sister in law is talked of in a lighter vein.

• The Naandivisarjana is carried out by the purohit.
• The parents of the bride and groom worship the Naandidevathe in their homes thus culminating the marriage rituals.

BHOOMADA OOTA – LUNCH TOGETHER

• This event is carried out at different instances based on the muhurta time.It is a flexible event normally decided by the schedule of the various
• 5 banana leaves are laid out, intercepting each other and flower and rangoli decoration is done in front of them.
• Deepa is lit and kept on either side and sometimes beautiful dolls are kept.
• All sorts of sweets and savories are served along with the regular lunch.
• The bride’s father gives the ‘aposhana’ to the groom in a silver cup and the bride’ smother serves the kheer(payasam) as per traditions.
• The bride and groom are made to feed each other amidst laughter and fun.
• The bride’s and groom’s parents also join them at lunch.

RECEPTION- SOCIAL GATHERING

• Normally in the evening, a reception is arranged with the couple dressed in their best amidst beautiful eye-catching stage settings.
• Relatives and friends grace the occasion and greet the couple.
• Gifts and flower bouquets are showered on them.
• The photographers capture these memorable moments
• At some weddings, the orchestra or a music concert is arranged to entertain the audience.
• Sumptuous, a lip-smacking dinner buffet is served.
• Towards the end of the function, aarathiis done to the couple before they disperse.

POST WEDDING RITUALS

SATYANARAYANA PUJA

• In some families, Satyanarayana puja is performed by the couple on the next day of marriage.
• Satyanarayana photo along with a kalasha is placed and decorated with Bale kambhaand flowers.
• Puja is conducted in a traditional way helped by the purohit. The puja Katha is also read.
• Mangala Arathi is performed and Prasada is distributed to the people present.
• This puja is conducted for the happiness, prosperity, and longevity of the couple.

THINGALA NAGOLI

• This function is carried out on the 16^th day of marriage in the respective homes of the bride and groom.
• Pooja is done and milk and obbottu are thrown on the chapara.
• Later on, the chapara structure is dismantled.

DISCLAIMER

We tried to capture all the rituals of a Smartha/Madhwa Brahmin marriage in a simple way. The customs and rituals vary from custom to custom. All the information on this website is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. www.sambhramaa.com does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information.

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