Weddings are all things sacred - starting from the decision to live a life together, all the way to the jewellery adorned and artefacts used in the rituals, the Ashtamangalyam set is one such relic that represents prosperity, good fortune and is considered auspicious during such events. Predominant in almost every Kerala household, it is used during special occasions and festivals alike. The Kerala Nair community is known to use the Ashtamangalyam set extensively.
\n\nThe Ashtamangalyam and its Contents
\nThe word Ashtamangalyam can be broken into two syllables. ‘Ashta’ means the number eight, while ‘Mangalyam’ translates to a marriage or holy event. It is understood from the word that the set traditionally has eight contents carried on a large brass plate that is considered unmissable during a holy event like a wedding. The Ashtamangalyam items have varied over time but generally represent the eight good things one can see as part of a good omen that include the following:
Ashtamangalyam at Kerala Nair weddings
\nMost Nair ceremonies bring this auspicious set as part of the tradition. Hence it finds an important place in Nair weddings as well. Apart from being used at weddings, it is also used when the bride enters the groom's house for the first time. Since the Ashtamangalyam set for marriage directly symbolises Mangalyam, this plate is considered ideal during weddings. These days the commercial Ashtamangalyam sets include the agarbathi stand and the pooja bell.
History Insights
\nIn the Nair culture, in the yesteryears weddings were conducted at the bride’s house. At those times these eight items used to be placed on the floor of the west-facing room of the house as this direction was considered apt for a bedroom. The old Nair houses had doors on all four sides of the house. The groom used to enter the room through the eastern door accompanied by his groomsmen, while the bride entered through the Padinjatte (western door) with an aunt or an elderly woman. Both parties stood on either side of the Ashtamangalya set on the floor, facing the East (considered an auspicious direction as the Sun rises in this direction). The groomsman then handed over a Pudava or New saree to the groom who in turn handed it over to the bride. In return, the accompanying Aunt would sprinkle rice over the bride and groom’s head as a form of showering them with blessings. The bridegroom then gifted betel leaves and nuts to all the elders of the family.
Ashtamangalyam sets are not just restricted to weddings. Instead, they are used and owned by Kerala Nairs for its symbolic representation of abundance.
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\n\nSignificance of The Grand Feast in Kerala Nair Weddings
\nThe Post-wedding Feast in Nair Weddings is served on the plantain leaf as per the norm in South Indian wedding meals. The items include a variety of pickles, pappad, banana chips desserts, rice, sambar, avvial, curries, the iconic 'Paladaaprathaman' which is a sweet dish made of rice and milk cooked for hours which tastes best at weddings. All the items served are vegetarian varieties and are specific to the native of the bride and groom. The main food sources such as rice, coconut, vegetables used to be homegrown and purely organic during the yesteryears.
The Sadhya is a contrast to Malayalam Nair wedding. The wedding is short and the rituals are minimal but the feast is grand. It has a huge variety of dishes where all these 28 varieties need to be part of the wedding platter. The dishes are multi-coloured and served on a green banana leaf.
\n\nServing Order of the Sadhya
\nThe top half of the leaf is dedicated for accompaniments and the bottom half for the mains. The dishes are served from left to right making it easy for us to eat. The serving order is as follows:
Top Portion of the Leaf - Starting from the left tip of the banana leaf Salt, Papadam, Chips, Puli Inji, Uppilittathu, Olan, Kalan, Erissery, Pulissery, Avial, Kootu curry, Thoran, Pachadi, Kichadi.
Centre Portion of the Leaf - Rice, Parrippu, Ghee, Sambhar, Rasam
Top Right Corner - All Pradhamans (Desserts)
The Kerala Nair Wedding Sadhya brings the wedding celebrations to a close as all near and dear are treated with this sumptuous banquet. These days in addition to the above mentioned being served during the feast, betel nut leaves and nuts are offered to the guests at the end.
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