 the father in law saying three times that he shall remain for ever her companion in joy and sorrow, in this life and life after.
Kankana Dhaarana is when the bride ties a string fastened to a piece of turmeric around the wrist of the bridegroom to bind himself by a religious vow. It is only after tying the kankanam that the groom gets the right to touch the bride.
Mangalya Dharanam is the rite of tying the Mangalsutra or Thali takes place at exactly the pre-determined propitious hour. The bride is seated on a sheaf of grain-layden hay looking eastward while the bridegroom faces westward.
The bridegroom ties the gold Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride. The Nadaswaram is played loud and fast so as to soften any inauspicious sounds at the critical hour. This is called Getti Melam. Sumangali ladies sing fortunate songs. At the same time as the Mangalsutra a turmeric thread is also put around the bride's neck. To this thread three knots are tied. The bridegroom ties the first one and the groom's sister to make the bride a part of their family ties the other two knots.
Paani Graharam means holding hands and promises not part from each other even when they grow old. Saptha Padhi holds the bride's hand the bridegroom walks seven steps around the holy fire with her. This is the most important part of the marriage ceremony. And only when they walk these seven steps together is the marriage complete. With each step they take a new vow. Pala Dhanam is the ritual, where gifts are exchanged between the families of the bride and groom. Pala Dhanam as ordained by the scriptures is thus an action signifying the mutual arrangements between the families, to be based on the principle of equality and respect for each other irrespective of the individual's economic stature in life.
Pradhana Homam is a vital part of the wedding is the respect paid by the couple to Agni, the God of Fire. The couple goes around the fire, and feed it with ghee and twigs of nine types of holy trees as the sacrificial fuel. The fumes that rise are medicinal, curative and cleansing effects on the bodies of the couple. Agni, the mightiest power in the universe, the sacred purifier, the all-round benefactor is deemed as a witness to the sacred marriage. Treading on the Grindstone is the ritual where, the bridegroom holding the bride's left toe helps her to tread on a grindstone kept on the right side of a fire. This ritual is emblematic of the solid rock foundation for the union.
Arundhati and Dhruva Star is the rite symbolic of the fact that important virtues are to be emulated throughout marital life. Next the groom shows the bride the star Arundhati as also Dhruva or the pole star. Arundhati is the wife of the Vashishta Maharishi and thus thought to be the ideal wife. Laaja Homam ritual comprises the bride's own offering into the sacrificial fire. Reflecting the sibling support to her marriage her brother helps her. He gives her a handful of puffed rice grains, which she hands over to the bridegroom, who on her behalf, feeds it to the fire. Through this food offering, the bride seeks a long life for her husband and for circulation of her family. Participation of the bride's brother indicates the continuation of links between the two families even after marriage. The couple moves around the fire three times. The feeding of puffed rice to the fire is repeated thrice.
Invitees shower saffron on the couple as benediction, this is the ritual of Akshadai i.e. rice grains colored with turmeric. Akshadai Graha Pravesham enters the new home of her in-laws.
The Evening Functions
Nalangu is performed in the evening of the marriage day is the time to relax and play. The newly wed wife calls her husband for play, inviting him by singing a song. Much to the merriment of all the guests and then follows a series of playful games. The bride smearing the groom's feet with color paste, fanning him, showing him a mirror, breaking papads over each other's head are few of the games.
These events bring out the qualities of the bride and the groom's sporting spirit, kindness, co-op