Malayalee Wedding Rituals

Here is provided information on Malayalee wedding rituals:

In a Malayalee wedding, usually the girl wears a two-piece sari, known as Mundu. The to be bride is embellished with flowers and jewelry. The to be groom dresses up in traditional dhoti and angavastram. The wedding ceremony is held at the bride's ancestral house in the northwestern room. As a part of ritual, the bride’s father washes his son-in-law’s feet and gives him a warm welcome. The groom gives his father-in-law an off white color sari that the bride wears for the nuptials.

Veli is the name given to the nuptial ceremony that takes place in front of the sacred fire. The couple takes three rounds around the fire. Thereafter, the groom is required to tie the 'Taali' that is strung on the yellow thread around the bride’s neck. It is followed by Kanyadaanam or Penkoda ceremony, in which the bride’s father hands over her responsibility to the boy.

The completion of Kanyadaanam is followed by Sparsham. As a part of this ritual, the groom is made to sit in front of the bride. He is asked to tilt his head backwards, so as to touch his wife’s forehead. While chanting mantras, the bride puts some puffed rice into the fire. The girl’s palms are then placed in the hands of her husband for the performance of homan. The groom is then asked to lift his wife’s foot and place it on the Ammi (grinding stone). It represents the breaking of old ties. Thereafter, the groom takes the bride's foot forward seven times with his hand. It symbolizes her entry into the new family.