MEHANDI & LUNCH - (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM) Mehandi is a significant part of a traditional hindu wedding, the women from both sides adorn their hands with henna which will symbolise good health and prosperity.

JANAVASAM & HIGH TEA - (5 PM ONWARDS) Janavasam is a celebratory wedding procession for the groom involving music and dancing. The Groom and his family will begin this tradition by visiting the temple to seek divine blessings and are then received by the bride's family at the end of the procession.

RING CEREMONY| SANGEET & DINNER - ( 6:15 PM ONWARDS) The end of Janavasam will commence the beginning of the ring ceremony & sangeet. This party will feature dance performances from both sides of the family to determine which side has the better dancers.

KASI YATRA - During Kasi Yatra, the bridegroom sets off on a pilgrimage towards Kasi to get further knowledge about Brahman (The highest truth). During this, he walks off with a pair of wooden slippers, umbrella, walking stick and a spiritual book (generally the Sundara Kandam from the epic Ramayana). The bride's father approaches and requests him to enter the second stage of life ie. Grahasthasrama and asks his to marry his daughter. In the scriptures, it is said that a person cannot seek the higher ideals, without being part of Grihasthashrama, and so the groom accepts the proposal and prepares his journey into Grahspathy.

MAALAI MATRAL (EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS) - As the Groom accepts this new phase of life, the bride and the groom start the wedding rituals by exchanging garlands three times as a symbol of acceptance and commitment. The number three represents the sthoola(physical), sukshma(astral), and karana(casual)sareeras (bodies) as per yoga. The exchange of garlands symbolizes the union of two souls into one and represents unity, loyalty, and respect for one another, and the acceptance of their respective roles in the marital relationship.

OONJAL (THE SWING) - Oonjal is a swing on which the marrying couple sit on and ride forth and back. They are surrounded by ladies of the family who sing songs praising the couple (Laali). The swinging chains are a representation of the unbreakable bond with the divine, and the swaying motion signifies the ups and downs of married life and the need for the couple to support each other through it all.

MAANGALYA DHAARANAM (MUHURTAM) - The bridegroom takes the sacred thread (Maangalya or Thali) and fastens the first knot around the neck of the bride and his sister fastens the other two knots. With the Mangala Sutram in his hands he recites the following verse: *maangalya thanthunaanena mama jeevana hethunaa kante: badhnaami subhage! tvam jeeva saradah satham* This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes! May you live happily for a hundred years with me! Marriage is not a union between two individuals alone. It is a union of two families and so symbolically,the groom's sister fastens the knots accepting the bride into an ever widening family circle of the groom.