A bamboo pole is erected at an auspicious time at the house-entrance preferably the gate of both the bride and groom. Prayers are offered to God for a happy and peaceful wedding. It is a belief that this ritual invokes the blessings of the Gods to ensure that the marriage ceremony proceeds without any interruptions. A decorated bamboo pole is also a hint that the pre-wedding rituals for a beautiful wedding ceremony have commenced.
Vratham in Tamil Hindu Brahmin Iyer weddings is a ritual that is performed separately by the bride and groom as part of the pre-wedding celebrations. By performing this ritual both bride and groom seek permission to start their married life. The vratham (fasting) is observed to get the blessings of the elders who have left the body. The bride and groom observe fasting for a good progeny and a happy married life.
For the bride
A sacred thread, Charadu, is tied to the wrist to keep the evil spirits away as a protective armor.
For the groom
The ritual begins with groom offering prayers to Indra, Chandra, Soorya, and Agni. After the prayer, the groom asks permission from his father to end his brahmacharya or bachelorhood. The groom then gets ready for entering the Grihastha ashrama by giving up all his personal grooming items.
After this ritual, the bride and groom cannot leave the marriage venue until they become a married couple
Nichayathartham means engagement. To start of the ceremony, Pooja is offered to Lord Ganesha to clear any obstacles and is conducted in the presence of a priest. The family exchanges coconuts and Thamboola (betel leaves) in the presence of elders.
A Lagna Patrika is prepared and read by the priest which makes it the official announcement of the date, time, and venue of the wedding in front of the gathered guests
The groom’s family offers the bride lots of gifts ranging from cosmetics, dresses, daily essentials, healthy food items, saree and jewelry. The bride’s family in return offers the groom new clothes.
The bride wears new saree gifted to her.
Aarti is done for the bride to ward off any negativity that may affect her or the wedding.
