Ganapathi Puja

Ganapathi, the God, the remover of obstacles is invoked to keep away all impediments for an auspicious function.

Kasi Yatra

When the young bachelor goes to Kasi to follow Sanyasa, the bride’s father intervenes and advises him of the superiority of married life to an ascetic life and promises to give his daughter as companion to face the challenges of life.

Malai Mathal

The exchange of garlands symbolizes their unification, as one soul in two bodies.

Oonchal

The bride and groom are seated on a swing, and rock back and forth. They are given a sweet concoction of milk, sugar and bananas to eat. Water and lighted lamps are circulated around and colored globules of cooked rice are waved in a circular motion and thrown away to ward off the evil spirits.

Vara Puja

The feet of the groom are washed. This is done by the bride’s father. As a bachelor, the groom is represented as God on this day.

Kanya Danam

The bride is made to sit on her father’s lap and is given away as a gift by him to the groom. The gold Mangal Sutra or Thali is placed on the aperture of the yoke.

Mangalya Dharanam

The tying of the Mangal Sutra or Thali takes place at exactly the pre-determined auspicious hour. The groom puts the gold Mangal Sutra around the neck of the bride.

Paani Graharam

The groom holds the hand of the bride.

We shall not part from each other even when we grow old.

Saptha Padhi

Holding the bride’s hand, the groom walks seven steps around the holy fire with her. Only when they walk these seven steps together is the marriage complete.

Pradhana Homam

A crucial part of the wedding is the homage paid by the couple to Agni, the God of Fire.

Treading on the Grindstone

Holding the bride’s left toe, the groom helps her to tread on a grindstone kept on the right side of a fire.

Arundhati and Dhruva Star

Next, the groom shows the bride the star Arundhati.

Laaja Homam

This comprises the bride’s own offering into the sacrificial fire. As an expression of sibling support to her marriage, her brother helps her.

Showering of Akshadai

Akshadai i.e., rice grains colored with turmeric and saffron, are showered on the couple by elders and invitees as benediction.