Source: Umgeni Road Temple Page 1 of 2

South Indian Wedding Ceremony

The Tamil Wedding conceptualises the Bride & the Bridegroom as the Lord & the Consort at the ceremony
on this important day in their lives Man & Wife. This gives the wedding a religious element. Marriage is a
life-long promise between a Man and a Woman, made in the presence of a sacred fire and as assembly of
friends and relatives. The Bridal Couple are no longer two independent beings, but one integrated
personality, united by firm resolve to supplement and complement each other in every aspect of life.
Bridal Procession
The Bridal couple enter the hall to the accompaniment of the nadhaswaram music followed by their
parents and attendants. The nadhaswaram is a time honoured tradition of music used for auspicious
occasions.
Valum Varuthal
The Bridal couple walk around the pandhal (stage) three times in honour of the Holy Trinity Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva. It is to ask God to give the couple good thoughts, words and deeds. The couple then
enter the pandhal with their right feet first.
Garlands
The fresh flower garlands are blessed by the priest and handed to the couple. The couple garland each
other to signify mutual acceptance.
Sankalpa
The kanganam is a turmeric stick tied to a piece of string. This is tied onto the wrists of the couple as an
invocation to Shri Vinayagar before the commencement of the rituals. Symbolically it represents total
commitment to each other and the vows taken.
Prayer to Vinayagar
A coconut/flower is offered in prayer to the patron God of arts and science, giver of wisdom and remover
of obstacles.
Theertham
A cleansing prayer, 3 drops of water taken in their left palm to ceremoniously cleanse various parts of the
body, mind and soul.
Nelengu
Three married ladies smear the couple with auspicious pastes/powders. This is a cleansing ritual before the
couple commence with the ceremony of commitment. Each paste has a specific significance to the
ceremony.
Yegyan
The Goddess of fire (Agni) is invoked symbolizing not only the illumination of the mind, knowledge and
happiness, but also a clean and pure witness to seal and consolidate the vows of sincerity, faithfulness and
sacred love.
Kanya Dhaan
Source: Umgeni Road Temple Page 2 of 2

Kanni refers to a young unmarried female, Dhaan means to give. The brides parents formally hand
over their daughter to the grooms family. Henceforth she is part of the family of the groom. Both parents
are brought together. Consent of the couple to enter into the marriage willingly is obtained.
Maami Koorai
The maami koorai or varsa is a gift given by the grooms parents to the brides parents. This is to thank the
parents for nurturing the bride and uniting the two families for the bridal couples continued happiness.
Blessing of the Thali
The thali or yellow string with a gold pendant/bottu is draped around a coconut and placed in a tray of rice.
The priest recites a prayer while all guests are standing. He then presents this to both parents and the
guests for their blessing.
Tying of the Thali
The thali is tied with three knots around the neck of the bride by the groom. The three knots represent
creation, preservation and destruction. The thali is the most important external sign of marriage. The
groom then places a kumgum dot on the forehead of the bride.
Exchanging of Garlands
The couple garland each other three times which is symbolic of them sharing all possessions both material
and immaterial. They then change positions to symbolise the grooms acceptance of the brides equal
status in their future life.
Wedding Rings
The couple exchange rings signifying the fusion of two hearts and never ending love.
Metti
The bride places her foot on the grinding stone (ammi kal) while the groom slips on the toe rings. This is a
symbol of mutual fidelity within the institution of marriage.
Concluding Prayer
Prayer is performed followed by the Mangalam which is a song of auspiciousness.
Aaseervaatham
The bride kneels at the feet of the groom as a symbol of mutual respect and the groom holds the bride and
picks her up as a display of his commitment and support to her. The couple kneel at the feet of their
parents as a mark of respect and gratitude.
Sabai Aaseervaatham
The couple and their parents exit the stage to be blessed/congratulated by the guests.