North Indian and South Indian traditions are two different poles, when it comes to traditional practices, rituals, attire and food habits. The weddings in the Hindu culture are distinct and even the timings they are held differ. North Indian weddings are often celebrated at night, while South Indian weddings can begin as early as 4 am. It is quite interesting to study the versatile ethos of the country. Grand Lotus, a wedding Hall in Navi Mumbai, can make any Lagnam (wedding) a successful story with wonderful décor, grand ambience and luscious cuisine.
South India is divided into four states- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. As soon as one enters a wedding venue of South India, the essence varies in everything- right from wedding attire to the ambience; the soothing classical music dominating the western and finally the food that satiates the traditional appetite. Every State of South India narrates a unique wedding tale. Grand Lotus, a best AC banquet wedding banquets, speaks about comfort, luxury and a homely feel. What more does one want from a wedding venue?
The South Indian weddings are all about traditional values emitting the fragrance of love, togetherness and joy. Let us take a tour of the four states to dive deeply into the wedding rituals that are sober yet magnificent in hospitality and celebration.
Imperial Telugu wedding:
Like any Indian wedding, a Telugu wedding begins with Nischitartham, meaning engagement. Close friends and family participate in this event. Gifts, clothes and sweets are exchanged between the bride and the groom’s family on this day.
The Andhra weddings are fun-filled. Kashi Yatra is one of the ceremonies that has an equal element of fun and seriousness. In this event, the groom pretends to leave the venue, rejecting the marriage proposal. The play of emotions flows while the bride’s father and brothers convince him to accept the alliance.
Weddings are a purest rite and Telugu weddings deeply focus on purity. The holy bath taken by the bride and the groom is the exemplification of the same. Traditionally Mangal Sanan after the Haldi -oil ceremony is taken on their wedding day. Later, the bride and the groom head towards Gauri- Ganesh Puja to keep the evils away from their journey ahead.
Every ceremony in Telugu weddings has a pleasant description and significance. Jeerakalla- Bellamu sounds interesting, like its name. It is the application of Cumin and Jaggery paste on the couple’s hands for their eternal togetherness.
Kanyadaan is the quintessential part of any Indian wedding and even Telugu wedding is incomplete without it. The wedding vows around sacred fire known as Saptapadi and the tying of Mangalsutra are again commonly seen in Telugu weddings, representing the rich Indian culture. In case of Reddy weddings, Sthaalipaakam completes the wedding rituals with the groom accepting the bride with a silver toe ring.
Harmonious Kannada weddings:
Karnataka weddings are simple, traditional and short. Kannada weddings are generally brief in nature, yet give prime relevance to customs with celebration vibes. Once the horoscopes are paired a grand practice of Nischay Tamulam is observed. This custom is all about the exchange of a plate containing auspicious objects like dresses, sweets, coconut and betel leaves.
Prayers always mean harmony and good fortune. Kannada wedding bells start with Puja and some auspicious acts. The first card is granted to the Almighty to seek blessings. Dev Karya is another divine scenario where the bridegroom visits neighbourhood temples.
Kaashi Yatra as observed in Telugu weddings is popular for Kannada weddings too. Other common Indian wedding rituals followed as per the Hindu custom-like Jaimala, Saptapadi, Dahreherdu (Kanyadaan) Vidai and Graha Pravesh conclude a traditional wedding at Karnataka.
Spiritually enriched Kerala weddings:
Kerala is identified as God’s own country with nature and scenic beauty around. The unity in diversification is echoed in Kerala wedding rituals in distinct communities and cultures. The white saree with a golden border and the gold ornaments decking a bride from head to toe are the initial perceptions of a Kerala wedding.
The Malyalee weddings of course commence with the pairing of Kundli (Horoscopes) of the bride and the groom. Once the horoscope matches a Muhurtham, an auspicious date and time for the marriage ritual are finalized. Nischayam is the commitment ceremony indicating the marriage and this is often hosted with a traditional vegetarian feast.
What makes a Kerala wedding special is the offering of Dakshina to elders before arriving at the wedding venue. Marriage function is commonly performed in front of a Veli (holy fire) The bride and the groom take three rounds around the fire and finally the groom ties a Thali around the bride’s neck. Kanyadaanam ritual follows with the bride’s father handing over his daughter by holding her hand and giving it to the hands of the groom.
Traditional Tamil wedding
The Tamil culture is one of the ancient cultures of India and the heritage is obvious in the depth of rituals followed in wedding ceremonies as per the cultures of this State.
A Tamil wedding is a blend of beautiful and culturally significant rituals narrating the tale of devotion. The prayers offered demonstrate that blessings are always auspicious for a new beginning. The Brahmin weddings, Chettiar weddings, or Gounder weddings of Tamil Nādu speak volumes of ancient history and ancestral experiences.
Pandh Kaal Muhurtham is one of the phases of the Brahmin wedding where the bride and the groom’s family seek blessings from their family deity. The intensity of the culture is seen in Vratham, meaning fasting before the wedding day. The women on this day soak grains overnight and later immerse them in a water pond for feeding fish. This is performed to entice good luck. Oonjal (Swing) is a delightful ritual where the bride and the groom enjoy the swing together, relishing Banana milk.
Chettiar wedding follows sacred rituals like a holy bath for the bride and decorating her with gold ornaments and neem leaves. Other traditional rituals like honouring the ancestors with traditional food; the paternal grandmother performing puja; the sister and the mother of the groom touching the bride’s head with turmeric and sacred ash depicts the far importance of family relationships.The bride washing mother-in-law feet with betel leaves portrays that the relationships are valued deeply in Tamil culture.
If we speak of Gounder weddings, they are shorter than Chettiar weddings. Chettiar weddings are celebrated for six days, while Gounder weddings last for three days. What makes this wedding special is that the first day is for feasting. The second day is dedicated to wedding platform decoration with the beating of drums. Finally, the third day is when the actual ritual of tying the knot happens, leading to a life together.
Tamil weddings also have sacred fire and rituals like tying the knot, the bond of marriage with a Thali (Mangalsutra) along with Kanyadaan. Fireworks, music and Aarthi are other important elements that make any Tamil wedding a blessed moment.
South Indian weddings are picturesque with the bride dressed in alluring silk saree, while the groom is either seen in dhoti or mundu. The ornaments worn by the bride add more to the grandeur of any wedding. How can one forget the traditional food served on banana leaves at most South Indian weddings? It is fun to eat with hands and be content after attending a ritualistic South-Indian wedding. Make your Kalyanam (wedding) a grand affair with Grand Lotus Banquets, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Let the flower of your marriage bloom, paving the way to happiness.