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Why Tamil Weddings Are A Must-Attend Event for Everyone

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South Indian Weddings are undeniably very different from North Indian ones. And amongst South Indian cultures, the Tamil population is the major group. Tamil weddings form an important part of the cultural potboiler of Indian weddings. That’s why, Tamil weddings are a must-attend event for everyone!

Tamilians are famous for simple living and high thinking. So, one may wonder what’s the big hullabaloo about their wedding rituals. But precisely because this group of people adheres to the simplicity of age-old traditions and customs, paradoxically, Tamil weddings turn out to be one of the most beautiful and lavish occasions.

Here’s why you must experience this cultural extravaganza at least once in your life!

The Colors of India
Tamil weddings are filled with traditional and spiritual symbolism that form the colorful canvas of ethnic India. The lavish colors in a Tamil wedding are a delight to the eyes. In a typical Tamil marriage scene, you’ll find a constant flow of bright red and sunshine yellow, bold vermilion and cool saffron strewn all around and send your senses into blissful dizziness. Traditionally, these colors also represent purity, spirituality, and passion. The bride’s sari, usually a traditional Kanjeevaram and her gold jewelry will dazzle you with more colors and shine. Similarly, the guests will be draped in lavish, colorful, rich silks. The rituals, the décor, the people, the food, all tend to be a feast of extravagant colors that mirror the rich spirit of this ancient land.
The Collective of Hundreds

Typically, in a Tamil wedding, a decent guest list spills over into a minimum of two to three hundred guests, comprising of the extended family, distant relatives, acquaintances, and friends. You can experience one of the ridiculously largest wedding gatherings in all of the Indian marriage functions in Tamil weddings. The guests are equally colorful, lavishly dressed, ornamented and pleasantly noisy. It is a unique experience to watch such a huge gathering coming together, simply to attend a ceremony and bless the newlyweds.

The Cacophony of Joy
Only in a deeply traditional Indian wedding, a cacophony cannot sound harsh, but melodious. Tamil weddings make use of a variety of ingenious sounds such as the South Indian flute (shehnai), the Vedic incantations, the traditional songs, and the guests chatting away in fluent native Tamil tongue. It’s indeed a stunning experience of sight and sound that a typical Tamil marriage scene offers. One has only to allow oneself to be drowned in this busy, bustling and unique sound shower.

The Culture of Vedic Rites
As said already, Tamil weddings strictly adhere to ageless customs and traditions, and hence, they are a rich experience of ancient Indian nuances for anyone attending the ceremonies. From Kala Pathrika (matching the horoscopes and deciding a wedding date) to Kalyanam (the actual wedding ritual), there are seemingly endless sets of lavish rituals that show us the deeply symbolic faces of the culture. One may say that Tamil weddings are not as extravagant as some of the Northern weddings such as the Punjabi weddings. However, the richness of Vedic rituals, spiritual rites, and folklore-based norms of a Tamil wedding remains incomparable. Their wedding rituals are based on some of the oldest sacred rites mentioned in the ancient text of Hinduism, the Veda.

The Courtyard at Dawn
It can be easily said that as you walk into the various settings of a Tamil wedding ceremony, you start feeling as if you are walking into a royal affair filled with magical moments. Tamil weddings, for starters, take place early in the morning. If not for any other reason, but to experience this absolutely unique dawn-kissed setting of a traditional wedding, you need to attend an authentic Tamil Kalyanam. The venue is usually some original temple courtyard. This courtyard is lavishly decorated with flowers, torans, and auspicious festoons. Here, the bride’s family hosting the wedding, decorate the ‘manavarai’ that is the ceremonial wedding canopy, with bright colors, flowy décor, flowers, festoons, Kalash (earthen pots) and Rangoli (colorful designs). As you walk into such a setting in the golden light of the rising sun, the entire ambiance feels like a magical and mystical hour hailing love and union of two hearts.

The Ceremony of Symbolism
The extensive wedding ceremonies start days prior to the main event with Kala Pathrika rite (setting the wedding date) and Sumangali (worship of the married women) where each ritual is an unparalleled experience to be a part of. Just the ceremony of Pallikai Thellichal is extremely lavish and colorful, where many kinds of grains mixed with curd are poured into seven earthen pots and smeared with sandalwood. The pots are later immersed in the water as an offering to the fishes, a symbol of auspiciousness.

Sumangali Prarthanai is yet another unique ceremony to be found in Tamil weddings. Women who are married and living a prosperous and harmonious married life are referred to as Sumangalis, and such women in odd numbers are worshipped and prayed to by the bride-to-be who then seeks their blessings for a successful and harmonious conjugal life. This ceremony is again dazzling and colorful as each of the Sumangalis are made to wear the traditional nine-yards Madisar sari of vibrant colors.

Thereafter, the sumptuous feast of authentic South Indian food is offered to them on a traditional banana leaf. This rite is altogether a feast to our senses. On the actual day of the marriage, first, an Aarti (fire oblation) is performed, and the auspicious fruit, a coconut, is broken to usher in divine blessings and protection. In the middle of the richly decorated, colorful Mandapam burns the holy wedding fire, ignited and invoked as to the holy witness to the couple’s vows.

The long and detailed rituals such as the Kanyadaan, the smearing of Sindoor and the thali Kutta (tying of the thali, the Tamil equivalent of a mangalsutra) is performed with great pomp, pride, and precision. Each ritual is a sight to behold as a cultural symbolism to explore. The rite of Saptapadi, where the bride walks seven steps rolling a rock forward with her toes, symbolizes the determination with which she presses on in her marital vows to make the union successful. The groom holds her toe, signifying his equal contribution to the marital bliss and success.

In conclusion 

Thus, altogether, the Tamil Matrimony is an unparalleled experience filled with culture, customs, colors, pomp, emotions, and fun. It is such a unique canvas of ethnic and ancient Indian nuances that one must attend a Tamil wedding at least once in their life.

Importance of Jewelry in Tamil Matrimony

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Indians are in love with gold and it is the prized and precious possession of Indian women. Gold jewelry is synonymous with Indian weddings. The gold is transferred from one generation to another in a form of legacy.

Tamil Nadu is the largest gold jewelry market in India. People of all age and gender wear gold in any form as per their financial and social status, especially the womenfolk.
Once your search for perfect handsome Tamil groom comes to an end with the help of a Tamil matrimonial website, the preparations for the wedding get started.

Tamil wedding is elegant and planned very traditionally. They follow all the rituals religiously and bridal jewelry is the major focus of a Tamil wedding. The matrimony sites will provide you a picture of Tamil wedding and will make you aware of their customs and traditions followed by the Tamil population.

Tamil Bridal jewelry forms an integral part of any Tamil wedding and is famous for its excellent craftsmanship and intricate designer jewelry. Bridal jewelry is considered auspicious for bridal health and wealth. The gold jewelry is also regarded as a financial backup in case of any severe contingency in life. Therefore, it is a crucial investment for the bride from her parents.

Gold jewelry plays a major role in Tamil weddings and few pieces of silver jewelry are too in the checklist of Tamil Bridal wedding. The Tamil Bridal Jewelry Kit includes:

1. Suryapirai is worn by the bride on the partition of the hair along the forehead. It is in the shape of sun and moon. Emeralds, rubies and uncut diamonds are used with gold to give an attractive finesse to Suryapirai.

2. Nethichutti graces the forehead of the Tamil bride. It is a traditional Tamil Matha Patti and sits like a tiara on her forehead. It is crafted with emeralds, rubies, uncut diamonds with gold. Nethichutti in Kundan and Pearl sets are also in trend in Tamil matrimony.

3. Jimiki Mattel is an earring and it is bell-shaped. It is hooked with Mattel attached to the hair braids. It has a beautiful grandeur and elegant look. It is crafted with precious stones and the length of the earrings differs as per the shape in trend, though long and big earrings are preferred for bridal jewelry.

4. Nose Ring: Single stoned or multiple stoned large nose ring are preferred for the brides. It is available in different shapes and it adorns the nose of the bride. Different designs of bridal nose ring are in vogue.

5. Kasu Malai: This piece of jewelry beautifies the neck of the bride, adding elegance to her style. It is crafted in the shape of gold coins or in the shape of mango and a huge lotus or peacock pendant hangs in the middle of the necklace.

6. Vangi: is worn on both the arms. It is an inverted V-shaped gold jewelry, also known as arm anglet. It looks sophisticated on the arms of the bride and is believed to invoke romance in the hearts of the couple.

7. Jadanagam: is worn on the braid of the bride and it is made out of gold, diamonds, and rubies. The designs are inspired from the designs of sun, moon, and flowers.

8. Ottiyanam: is worn around the hip of the bride to hold the heavy drape of a silk saree. It is also known as the waist belt and is in floral or peacock designs preferably with a motif of Goddess Lakshmi in the middle of the waist belt.

9. Valayal: are the gold bangles which adorn the hands of the bride. The gold bangles are considered auspicious and are made out of pure gold and often precious stones are also used with gold to give good finesse.

10. Anklets & Toe Rings: adorns the feet of the bride. Gold is not worn in feet, so it is made out of silver or 5 metals in combination.

These ten pieces of jewelry is a must item of any Tamil wedding. They adorn the bride from head to toe adding a dash of grace, royalty, and beauty. The details of Tamil matrimony can be found on various matrimonial sites.

On an average, a Tamil bride wears jewelry of near about 250-300 grams of gold on her wedding day, so you can well imagine how much jewelry is procured for the bride’s special day in her life.

Traditional Attire for a Tamil Bride

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India is a land of multiple religions with language, traditions, customs and cultures varying at every few kilometers. Amidst these entire differences one thing that remains common is the excitement that prevails in a family where wedding is scheduled to happen. Yes, you got it right! From east to west and north to south, any region that you pick up, you can feel the same enthusiasm and excitement. Tamil matrimony is no exception. Even in a Tamil wedding, who can be more excited than the Tamil bride and the Tamil groom to be?

Well, there are several areas of delight for a Tamil Bride starting from the wedding preparation, venue, decor, honeymoon and many more. Yet, the selection of wedding dress pre-dominates the all.

Tamil bride, one of the most celebrated icons of the Indian culture portrays an image of bridal beauty and elegance. A typical Tamil Brahmin bride is usually seen wearing a 9 yard long Kanjeevaram Saree in hues of bright colors with contrasting borders that have gold threads woven into beautiful patterns. A non-brahmin Tamil bride would wear a regular 6 yard long saree. Hair are done in an elaborate plait and bun combination, draped with flowers and gold ornaments. Tamil bride is adorned with gorgeous looking heavy gold jewelry, especially the ones that are mainly family treasures that are being passed on from one generation to the next.

A few prominent jewelry pieces that adorn a Tamil bride are Metti (Toe Ring), Kolusu (Anklet), Oddiyanam (HipBelt), Vanki (Armlets), Maanga Malai (Mango shaped necklace), Nose Ring or Nose Stud, Earrings, Thalaisamaan (on forehead), Jadanagam (decorating braid).

Metti or toe ring is a ring made of Silver, with two or three line rounds and it is worn in the second and third finger from toe. Kolusu or Anklet made of silver is worn around the ankle. Oddiyanam/ hipbelt is made of silver or gold and is worn around the hip. This not only increases the grace of the bride but also if worn regularly, helps avoid the belly and hip fat. Vanki/ armlets are ‘V’ shaped jewelry pieces with an exclusive design in the center and delicately carved peacocks or florals on the side and are worn on arms. Maanga Malai is a necklace of mango shaped gold pieces, stunning in appearance. Nose Ring or Nose Stud can be a small stud with one stone or a bigger one with 7-8 stones. Even in some families, a heavy nose ring is worn by the bride. There are multiple variations and designs for the earrings which complete s the bridal look. Thalaisamaan is an ornament unique to Tamilian culture and is worn on the forehead on the parting of the hair along the forehead. Jadanagam looks like a snake, worn on the braided hair in an entangled design and there is a Kunjam at the end of braid.

Kanjeevaram Silk Saree along with all these ornaments put together completes the looks of a Tamil bride and sets her to mesmerize all with her beauty and elegance.