South Indian Wedding Rituals and Traditions

We bring you unique and fascinating wedding traditions from all across the four states of South India. The Hindu wedding ceremony has a number of rituals and customs, each symbolic of beautiful and noble sentiments. South Indian wedding traditions and ceremonies are no exception. As one enters the place or venue of ceremony of a South Indian wedding, one notice things such as full-grown plantain trees tied to both the gateposts, festoons overhead of mango leaves, and screw-pine petals that never fade, notes of the Nadaswaram, the South Indian Shehnai, Kolam or Rangoli designs at the doorsteps and the like.

There are over twelve different kinds of South Indian wedding traditions observed in which some rituals are common, whereas some are absolutely unique. Each state has its own cultural flavour. Other than the wedding ceremonies, all these states have various kinds of bridal and grooms wear, food, music and ethnicities at different stages of a wedding.

Let’s take a tour through the exotic South Indian wedding celebrations:

Andhra Pradesh:-

Telugu wedding Rites: Nishchitartham, Pellikuthuru and Snathakam, Kashi Yatra, Mangal Sanan, Jeerakalla-Bellamu, Kanyadaan, Mangalsutra, Saptapadi where the couple take wedding vows circling around the fire seven times.

Reddy wedding Rites are: Patrika, Nisachaitartham, Vara Puja and Paindipilla (Haldi), Vivaaham, Muhurtam, Kanyadaanam and Sapthapadi, Sthaalipaakam where groom puts a silver toe ring on his bride as a token of acceptance.

Arya Vysya wedding traditions: Pendlikoothuru or the Haldi, Snathakam, Kashi Yatra, Mangal Snanam, Aarti, Gauri Ganesh Puja, Kanyadaan, Mangalsutra, Kanyadaan Akshata, and Jeelakarra-Bellamu, Grihapravesh is the welcome ritual of the bride in the new family.

Karnataka:-

Kannadiga wedding: Nishchay Tamulam, Naandi, Dev Karya, Kaashi Yaatra, Mandap Puja, Var Puja, Jaimala, Saptapadi, Dahreherdu (Kanyadaan), Vidai and Griha Pravesh, Okhli is a ceremony of games.

Coorgi wedding: There are no priests involved in the actual wedding. Before the wedding, the families pray to their ancestors and the women pray to Fire Gods before the cooking, Both families sing to Dudi Kot Patt (Sangeet) songs and dance while getting ready for the wedding, The Bride and the groom exchange Jasmine garlands and they take a sip of milk from a glass. The newly wedded couple touch feet of elders for blessings, Ganga Puja takes place as a final celebration, everyone feasts on Coorg’s famous pork delicacy- Pandhi curry and drink to rejoice

Bunt or Nadavas wedding: Nikshaya, Madarengee, Mangalasnanam, Murthasese, Muhurtham or Lagnam, Dhareyeruna (Kanyadaan), Homam, Saptapadi, Sese padunu, Neer maipunu, Ponni Vocchidu Korpunu

Kerala:-

Christian wedding: Engagement or the Ring ceremony, Bachelor’s/Hen’s party, Haldaat, Holy wedding, Mangalsutra or the Thali, Matrakodi

Nair wedding: Mahuratham, Nishchayam, Mehndi, Dakshina Kodukkal, Kanyadaan, Padamuri, Sandhya, Grihapravesh and Aarthi

Muslim wedding: Valaidal or “Wear the Bangle”, Naal nishchayam, Mailanchi Raavu, Mappila Paattu, Nikaah, Feast, Araayil koodal, Veettil koodal, Salkaaram or the reception

Tamil Nadu:-

Chettiar wedding: Muhurthkalam and Nichayadartham (Engagement), Padaipu, Arasanikkal and Mattru Kattuthal, Pooram Kazhitha, Azhagu Arathy and Ganesh Puja, Mangalasutra/taali, Isaivu pidimanam or a marriage agreement, Padapuja, Kulam Vazhum Pillai and Thumbu Kattudal

Gounder wedding: Porutham Parthal/Horoscope matching, Sagunam Parthal, Nichyadhaartham, Naal Virundhu, Muhurtha Kaaland and Muhurtham, Mangala Vaazthu, Aarathi Eduthal, Senjoru Aindhadai Suttrudhal & Arugumanam Seidhal, Kalyana Virundhu

Brahmin wedding: Pandh Kaal Muhurtham, Vratham, Jaanavasam, Nicchiyadhartham, Kashi Yatra, Oonjal, Kanyadaan

- South Indian wedding traditions are varied, extensive and colourful.

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