by Barbara Anderson Kerala has unparalleled beautiful landscapes and backwaters as well as with unique traditions and rituals that make Kerala Hindu weddings special and gorgeous. So, let’s consider them in detail to get an idea of this beauty.
Interesting facts about Kerala weddings
Different wedding traditions coexist in Kerala: Hindu, Christian, Nair, and Muslim. All of them have some Kerala roots. Also, Kerala is well-known for the combination of traditional and non-traditional weddings.
Kerala has perfect сlimate and nature, while a lot of people from different cities and countries visit this place for their wedding celebration.
Kerala Hindu wedding is a special event with symbolic and simple rituals that bind an elegant bride and a magnificent groom together to create a family.
Pre-wedding traditions
#1. Muhurtham
It is the name of a ritual when an astrologist matches the bride’s and groom’s Kundli to forecast that their marriage is viable. If they match, an astrologist finds a holy and auspicious date for a wedding ceremony.
#2. Nischayam
It is a Hindy variation of the engagement when both families make an official announcement about their children’s wedding.
#3. Traditional party
On the eve of the wedding ceremony, the bride’s family makes a party with traditional vegetarian dishes and entertainment for guests.
Wedding traditions
#4. Madhuparkam Ritual
Madhuparkam Ritual goes this way: the groom with his family goes to the wedding venue, where the bride’s family welcomes them. The bride’s father washes the groom’s feet, and the groom presents the bride’s relatives with a white saree for the wedding ceremony.
#5. Kanyadaanam
This ritual is performed in front of Veli, holy fire. The couple goes around Veli three times, then the groom puts the yellow necklace, Taali on the bride’s neck. After this, the bride’s father gives the hand of her daughter into the hands of the groom. It means that he hands over his responsibilities over his daughter to the groom.
#6. Sparsham Ritual
At this ceremony the groom should sit on the floor facing the bride. Their foreheads should touch each other. The priest chants and asks the bride to put rice upon the Veli. When it is done, the groom puts the bride’s foot on the grinding stone, called Ammi. It symbolizes that the bride severs the connection with her family and turns to the new one.
#7. Sadhya
It is a celebration when all rituals are completed. All guests sit down together and taste delicious traditional dishes.
Post-wedding traditions
#8. Kudivep
This is the name of a welcoming ritual. After all wedding ceremonies, a newly-married couple goes to the groom’s house. There they are met by the groom’s mother with lighted oil lamps.
#9. Grihpravesh
It is the final ritual when the bride enters her new home for the first time.
Wedding outfits
The bride’s wedding wearing
The bride’s wedding outfit in Kerala is simple and stylish. As a rule, the bride completes traditional saree with the help of a great number of golden jewelry. There is traditional jewelry, such as Kasumala, a long necklace with gold coins, Palakka Mothiram, gold necklace in green color with patterns reminiscent of mango. Also, brides wear Oddiyanam, which is a belt that holds the saree. You can see on the bride temple jewelry, Jhukis, and gold choker, Elakkathali.
The groom’s wedding wearing
The traditional groom’s wedding suit in Kerala is in white or golden color. There are white Mundu with zari border (dhoti or lungi) and scarf Melmundu. But time is changing, so grooms can combine western outfits with traditional for their wedding. So we can see a combination of Mundu with a Kurta or a white shirt. Some of them refused Sherwanis and Kurta Pyjamas.
