Kannada Wedding Rituals & Program
PRE-WEDDING RITUALS
Kannada wedding ceremonies have a rich tradition of pre-wedding and wedding rituals. Here are the main pre-wedding and wedding rituals for a Kannada wedding ceremony:
Nischay Tamulam: This ceremony marks the official engagement of the bride and groom. The families exchange betel leaves, coconuts, and gifts to symbolize their acceptance of the union.
Dev Karya: This is a ceremony where the families pray to their ancestors and seek their blessings for the upcoming wedding.
Haldi Ceremony: A paste made of turmeric, sandalwood, and other herbs is applied to the bride and groom's bodies to purify them and make them glow.
Mehendi Ceremony: The bride's hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs. The darker the color of the henna, the more love and affection she is said to receive from her husband.
WEDDING RITUALS
Traditional Kannada wedding ceremony typically consists of several steps or rituals that are performed in a specific order. Here are the main steps in a traditional Kannada wedding ceremony:
Mandap Puja: The wedding ceremony begins with the puja of the mandap, which is the sacred canopy under which the wedding takes place. The priest performs various rituals to purify the space.
Kanyaadaan: The bride's father gives her away to the groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility from the father to the husband.
Sumangali Prarthana: The groom and the bride's mother perform a prayer ritual to seek the blessings of the ancestors and sumangalis (married women).
Jaimala: The bride and groom exchange garlands as a symbol of acceptance and respect for each other.
Madhuparka: The groom is welcomed by the bride's family and offered honey and milk to drink.
Kashi Yatra: The groom pretends to leave for Kashi (Varanasi) in search of spiritual knowledge. The bride's father stops him and convinces him to stay and marry his daughter.
Olaichuvadi: The bride's mother gives the groom a coconut and a betel leaf, signifying her acceptance of him as her son-in-law.
Dhare Herdu: The groom ties a sacred thread (mangalsutra) around the bride's neck, signifying their union.
Saptapadi: The bride and groom take seven steps together around the sacred fire, representing the seven vows they take to support each other throughout their lives.
Mangalya Dharana: The groom places a sacred thread (mangalsutra) around the bride's neck and applies sindoor (vermilion powder) on her forehead, signifying her as a married woman.
Akshata: The groom applies akshata (rice) on the bride's head, signifying their union.
Appagintalu: The groom's sister and the bride's brother playfully pull each other's ears, signifying the bond between the two families.
Reception: After the wedding ceremony, the couple is welcomed by their families and friends, and a feast is held to celebrate their union.