Part1

Glimpse on Brahmin Pre-wedding rituals

Marriages are considered a sacred milestone in one’s lifetime. A lot of importance is attached to marriages since it is tied to a number of Rituals. Weddings in south India are focused mainly on traditional customs and rituals which vary from region to region. All these rituals have a spiritual significance which is normally adhered to by all.

Sana Sambhrama walks you through these rituals in a traditional and professional way…

We have tried to compile the various events and their associated rituals systematically to make your weddings simpler and perfect….

Come, step into this wonderful divine journey…

CHAPPARADA POOJA- AUSPICIOUS SYMBOL FOR THE FUNCTION

• This ritual is performed on an auspicious day before the wedding date.
• The chappara is erected using poles and twined green coconut leaves in front of the house.
• It is decorated with mango thorna ,bale kamba and flower garlands
• This ritual is performed both at the bride and groom’s residence
• The 4 poles are twined with fresh flowers and rangoli is put in front of the house.
• Ladies perform pooja to this chappara by applying haldi kumkum to each of the poles. They also put gejje vastra and flowers.
• Pooja is also done in front of the erected chappara. Naivaidya and Mangalarathi are performed.
• The Bride/ Groom and the Kalashagithi also participate in this function.
• Arathi is performed to the Bride/Groom and their parents by elderly ladies of the In return Dakshina is given to the ladies.
• The chappara symbolizes that an auspicious function is being performed in the house.

MALANEERU- MANGALA SNANA

• This ritual is carried out either on the previous day or on the day of the wedding. Normally it is done on the day the Naandi Shastra is done.
• It is normally referred to as a’ Mangala Snana’ and is carried out in both the groom and bride’s side.
• The groom/bride along with his/her mother is made to stand on a long Peeta around which rangoli is put.
• Five copper kalasha filled with water and mango leaves are placed around the Peeta. The kalashas are joined to each other with Mooru elle dhara(Hasidhara).
• Five sumangali ladies sprinkle this water together on the groom/bride and their mother with the mango leaves.
• The mother is offered normally saree and blouse pieces from her maternal relatives.
• Also, the 5 ladies  are given arashina  kumkuma and

DEVARA SAMARADHANE – PRAYERS TO THE KULA DEVATHA

• Prayers are offered to the family deity. Normally the photo of kula devatha is arranged on a Peeta. Rangoli is put in front.
• Lamps are lit and all the pooja items and wedding items are arranged in front of the Peeta.
• Punyaha or cleansing of the pooja items is carried out by the purohit by sprinkling water from the kalasha.
• Shodashopachara pooja is carried out by the purohit
• Beesokallu and Vonke are decorated with rangoli and flowers
• Vonke is used for pounding haldi. Normally 5 ladies do this Shastra accompanied by sampradaya songs.
• Godhkal Shastra is also done by the ladies.
• Also in some families they carry out a Shastra where a ring is dropped in Godhi (wheat) and the bride/groom has to search for the ring and utter some sentences like Muthinantha gandana/hendithi kande.

HUVILYA SHASTRA – SUMANGALI POOJA

• Sumangali ladies and kanye muthaidhe girls are invited for this function
• The lady of the house washes their feet and takes their blessings
• The ladies are then offered arashina, kumkuma, bangles, flowers, fruits, and blouse piece.
• They are also offered kosambri and lime juice along with Thambittu and ellu unde as a traditional practice.
• The parents of the groom/bride along with the groom/bride take all their blessings.
• This Shastra is conducted on both the bride and groom’s side. Normally a prior date is fixed or it is conducted on the previous day of the
• This function is an eye-catching function with ladies and girls dressed in their best traditional attire. The colorful display of baskets/trays filled with flowers and fruits adds to its beauty.

NAANDI SHASTRA – INVOKING ANCESTRAL BLESSINGS

• The Naandi deity represents the ancestors and they are worshipped to seek their blessings.
• This ritual is carried out in both the groom and bride’s place.
• This ritual ensures that the wedding functions go on without hassles promising a happy married life to the couple.
• Normally the Kula vriksha is taken and tied with a saree and panche and kept for pooja. This is normally referred to as ‘Naandi kolu’.
• Kalasha stapane is done. Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles is invoked.
• Normally Navagraha Homa and any other homa recommended are performed by the purohit.
• The bride/groom along with their parents and the Kalashagithi also participates in this
• The Kalasha kanadi plate is kept for pooja and it is used throughout the wedding.
• The Naandi visarjane is carried out at the end of the wedding rituals by the purohit.

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.

Stay tuned for the 2nd part of the blog (Groom’s welcome and Vara Pooja)

Click here For PART-2

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