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In kerala the parents select prospective partners for their sons
and daughter. After extensive background checks, including financial
and social status. The parents will check the horoscopes for compatibility.
If all the necessary compatibility is there the bride and groom
will meet each other. In Kerala this function will normally take
place at the bride’s home. If both the bride and groom are
willing to get married the parents agree on a date for the engagement.
“Vakukodupu” One the day of the engagement the family
and friends of both the girl and boy will go to the girl's house.
The boy’s father asks the girls father for consent for his
son to marry his daughter. In Kerala once this is agreed the “jathakams"
(horoscopes) are exchanged between the father of the boy and that
of the girl. This will be performed in front of the picture of their
favorite god or goddess. Betel leaves, Betel nut, fruits, Incense
sticks, Nilavilakku (traditional kerala lamp made of brass) and
bhasmam (vermilion) will also be placed besides the picture of the
deity. Then the girl and boy, will exchange rings in presence of
the gathering. In Kerala Usually the engagement is the day that
the date of the marriage is announced. If there is no engagement
function two to three male members of the grooms family will go
to the brides house and gives the astrology slip mentioning the
day, date and the exact time (muhurtam) to conduct the marriage.
In Kerala usually Tuesdays and Fridays are avoided for this visit.
The day before the marriage relatives of the boy come to the girls
house to give her clothes to wear for the marriage. The boy’s
sister will give her 'pudava'- the traditional wedding sari in a
silver or steel tray.
In Kerala on the marriage day, the girl proceeds to visit the temple
of her favorite deity. There an offering "vazhipadu" is
made in the name, and star, of the groom. It is called 'astothara
archana'. At an auspicious time, the relatives of the bride will
receive the groom and his relatives. The brother of the girl (or
the person having that position) will sprinkle rose water on him
and apply sandal paste on the forehead of the boy. The groom will
also be given a garland, bouquet and lime. The boy will then be
lead to the 'mandapam' - an elevated place usually decorated by
flowers. In Kerala the bride is led to the mandapam, just before
the muhurtam, in company of 5 to 11 girls in a procession of 'thalapoli'-
a custom of leading the important person to the stage by girls holding
a small circular vessel, made of brass or steel, with a coconut
lamp and flowers. The father (or other elders if he is dead) will
lead her to the mandapam and seats her on the left side of the groom.
In Kerala at the muhurtam time the groom with the help of his sister
(or some one who occupies that position) will tie the sacred thread
(this is usually a gold chain, but some people prefer a yellow thread),
While the ‘nagaswarem’ (a mixed band of kerala musical
instruments) is playing. At this moment the gathering of friends
and relatives will shower floral petals on the newly wedded couple.
Then both of them will exchange garland. Then both of them will
circle the mandapam, thrice. A pujari will also be present to help
them go through the ritual without hitch. He will be offered some
'dakshina'- a practice of giving some token money for the guidance.
MAA Kerala,
Specialists in Sending Marriage Gift for friends to Kerala.
We send flowers, cake , mundu, kasavu mundu, kasavu sari, Sari,
toys, and sweets to kerala for Marriages.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you to
send a gift for the Marriage of your loved ones
in kerala, email: sales@maa-kerala.com
or browse our gift categories.
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