The Tamil Chettiar community has many rituals that are followed by strict discipline. They are a business keen group of people who are very strong in their beliefs and cultural traditions. The wedding ceremonies are elaborate and go on for many days. Each ceremony has great significance and meaning. These functions are meant for the prosperity and bright future of the new couple. The weddings bring the families together and all the functions are held with great pomp and splendour.
\n\nIn the Nagar Kovil area, there is a specific group called Nagarathas, who also come within this proud community. They belong to altogether 9 temples, each subdivision belongs to one temple. This makes the Nagarathar marriage between two families more complex as both the bride and groom should belong to different temples. People of the same temple are considered to be brothers and sisters.
\n\nWhat is Mamiyar Sadangu In Tamil Chettiar Wedding?
\nOne of the main events or ceremonies in Tamil wedding customs is the Mamiyar Sadangu. Mamiyar Sadangu means a ritual done by the mother-in-law. As the name suggests, it is conducted to give importance to the relations between the mother in law and the bride. The significance is to increase the bonding and understanding between the two important females in the Groom's life. They should live in harmony and close to each other as a bond as this is extremely important for a long term happy married life.
Procedure
\nDuring this ceremony, the mother-in-law carries a silver plate with several smaller bowls (Kinnam). Each bowl has different ingredients like Vethalai( betel leaf), Kumkum (vermilion), Manjal(turmeric), etc. She takes out a bit from each bowl, one after the other, and applies it to herself and then for her daughter in law. Each ingredient stands for a special blessing like prosperity, freshness, purification, fertility, soul connection, etc.
The entire community strives hard to maintain healthy relationships amongst different family members. Tamil Chettiars know the importance of strong family bonds and are very keen on upholding family traditions.
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The Tamil Chettiar community, also known as the Nagarathars, are well known for their business acumen and have a great sense of financial intelligence. Taking into consideration all the members of the community, one can see that they belong to a total of 9 temples belonging to Nagercoil district in Tamil Nadu. When it comes to selecting a bride or groom, they must belong to different temples. The children in the same temple are considered to be siblings and hence a marriage among them is not allowed. So wedding proposals are always between two different temples. Both the temples should also approve of the union. Then only can the wedding arrangements and decisions proceed further.
\n\nWhat is the Significance of Mana Pen Solli Kolluthal in Tamil Chettiar Wedding?
\nEach ritual performed in the wedding ceremony has a significant meaning and importance. One of the most emotional moments is when the bride bids adieu to her childhood home. This is called the Mana Pen Solli Kolluthal - mana pen means the newly wedded bride, solli kolluthal means telling goodbye. It is a testing time for the bride and her parents. She will be leaving her parent’s place where she has lived all time and moving to a new home.
The Chettiar bride will be nervous and anxious about the new experiences while being saddened at the thought of leaving the comfort of her parent’s home. She will have to get accustomed to the mannerisms in the new home and will also have to learn to accept the new family as her own. During this ritual, all the elders bless her abundantly. They pray that her new home will keep her happy. The relatives offer their support in every step of her new life and gracefully send her to the groom’s home.
\n\nThe traditions and customs of the wedding rituals for chettiars need to be praised for their simplicity and meaning. The wedding as a whole is glamorous and full of splendour, however, each ritual reflects the simplicity and humbleness of their thoughts and actions.
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The Tamil Chettiar traditions include many customs and rituals which display their traditional heritage and social values. Tamil nagarathar wedding customs are very interesting and unique. It should be mentioned that the Nagarathas belong to 9 temples in Tamil Nadu. The bride and groom should belong to different temples and the wedding should get the approval of both the temples.
\n\nSignificance of Nathanar Sadangu Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Weddings
\nThere is a speciality found in Tamil Chettiar weddings - family bonds are very strong and relationships are considered sacred. In the Tamil Chettiar community, every member of the family is given equal importance. The rituals make sure that each member undertakes a special responsibility as part of welcoming the new couple into both families.
One such custom is the Nathanar Sadangu which means a ritual by the sister-in-law of the bride. It takes place at the Groom's residence. The Nathanar (sister-in-law) is considered to be the best friend or confidant of the bride. She holds a silver plate with small bowls called kinnam. These bowls contain auspicious items like Manjal (turmeric), viboothi (holy ash), betel leaf and cotton. It is similar to the Mamiyar Sadangu. The nathanar applies each item to the bride's forehead as well as her own. It is considered to be a sacred ceremony where blessings are offered for purification of the soul and to have a prosperous new beginning.
\n\nThe Hindu wedding rituals are followed strictly and are given due importance by the entire community. The whole purpose behind each ritual is to form a strong foundation upon which the new couple begins their journey together. Blessings and support from both the families are offered without hesitation and this encourages them to embark on a beautiful adventure.
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Vaevu Irakkuthal Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Weddings was set up during the olden days for the bride's side to display food grains, vegetables, and other items that they will send along with the bride to the groom’s house. These items are received by the groom's side. It is a custom of sharing the wealth by the bride's family with her in-laws. The baskets traditionally consisted of rice and brinjal but there is no limit to what the bride’s family can send along with their daughter. It is purely the decision of the bride and her parents. The mamakarar (maternal uncle) of the bride plays an important role in this ritual. The gifts that the bride is given is handed over to the groom's family by the uncle. He also helps in carrying it to the groom's house.
\n\nWhat can go into the display list?
\nTraditionally it contained rice and brinjals but now everything that the bride will need in her in-law's house can be given as a gift by her parents. Traditional utensils like the brass cookware ranging from spoons to big andahs (hoppers) which are used for cooking feasts are part of the Chettiar family list and so is the trendy non-stick cookware that will aid easy cooking. Iron cookware, plastic storage boxes, stainless steel utensils can all be a part of this endless list of items that the bride’s parents gift for her wedding. On a funny note, the friends tease the bride that though she can fit into a car, her gift items may not even fit into a big truck!
Every ritual in the Tamil Chettiar wedding showcases the rich bonding that they have within the family and in the relative circle. Vaevu Irakkuthal is also one such ritual where all the bride’s relatives come together and help her family put up a great show in front of her to-be in-laws.
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Worshipping the ancestors and family members who are no longer alive is a culture that has been followed all over the world. The same is true in Tamil Nadu India culture too. A ‘Podhu’ or general Padaippu is an event in Tamil Chettiar Matrimony where different families gather to honour their ancestors whereas a Veedu Padaippu is conducted for a marriage where a single-family honour their ancestors prior to the wedding to seek their blessings. The meaning of the word Padaippu in English is 'offering' and the word 'Veedu' is a house. Read on to understand the significance of this pre-wedding ritual in Tamil Chettiar weddings:
\n\nSignificance of Veetu Padaippu Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Weddings
\nAfter the Muhurtha Kaal Undruthal (erecting the bamboo cane), it is time to pray to the ancestors of the family. Veetu Padaippu is a ritual of praying to ancestors in the family home and Podhu Padaippu is a common prayer to all the ancestors in the family.
What is Padaippu Veedu?
\nAll the Pangalis (paternal ancestral lineage for both bride and groom) of the family gather together in a common location or a house. This house is called Padaippu Veedu. In Podhu Padaippu which is conducted in Padaippu Veedu, a traditional dish Paniyaram which is made of rice flour and jaggery is made and offered to the ancestors. Traditionally the Paniyaram is made by all the Achis or grandmothers of the families gathered for the event. Post the prayers, these Paniyarams are distributed to everyone in the family. A meal that the ancestors would have enjoyed is prepared and served to the family.
This ritual is conducted to please the ancestors and ensure that the bride and groom are blessed by them for a peaceful life together.
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This is one of the important ceremonies of the wedding. The maternal uncles play an important role in Hindu weddings which shows love among the family.
\n\nWhat Happens During the Thirupoothuthal
\nDuring this ceremony, the maternal uncles (mamakarargal) of both the bride and the groom have a special pink silk towel called Mamakara pattu wrapped around them. The groom is made to sit on the manai (small stool) and the bride is then brought to the manai by her maternal uncles. The groom then ties the Kaluthiru which is the sacred thread symbolizing marriage. Nadaswaram is played throughout the ceremony and reaches a crescendo when tying the thread. Nowadays the thread is getting replaced with gold chains. Read on to understand the significance of this ritual:
Significance of Thirupootuthal Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Weddings
\nThe Kaluthiru or the Chettiar wedding thali which is tied around the bride's neck carries a lot of significance. The Kaluthiru has two meanings while one means chain around the neck, the other Kaluth- Thiru symbolizes Lakshmi. Thiru means Goddess Lakshmi in Tamil. Usually, an auspicious time is fixed for this ritual to be conducted and Chettiar brides in Tamil Nadu keep their kaluthiru safe forever.
What constitutes Kaluthiru?
\nChettinad thali has a total of 34 items that are specifically handcrafted by artisans and is a double piece of chain with pendants. There are two pendants that carry images of Gods. One is that of Goddess Lakshmi who is the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and another of Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) Sundareswaran (Lord Shiva) on top of the sacred bull called Rishaba. Both symbols play an important role in Chettinad weddings. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi brings forth wealth while Lord Shiva and Parvati on top of the bull indicate a happy family.
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This is one of the few pre-wedding rituals that take place during a Chettiar wedding. After finalizing the marriage date, Muhurta Kaal Undruthal is done four to five days before the wedding. This is the first pooja that officially starts off the wedding rituals. A pundit or priest is invited to perform the pooja. It is usually conducted in the presence of 9 married elderly ladies of the family.
\n\nProcedure for Muhurtha Kaal Undruthal Ritual in Tamil Chettiar Wedding
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\nThis whole ritual is called Muhurtha Kaal Undruthal. This Muhurtha Kaal serves as an announcement that a wedding is taking place in the family. This is a puja that is performed by both the bride and groom's families in their respective houses and offer prayers to God so that the Chettiar matrimonial rituals, all preparations and the marriage takes place without any glitches.
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Mappillai (Groom) Azhaippu (to invite) means inviting the groom to the bride’s house or the Kalyana mandapam (wedding hall). This event is a traditional welcome to the Chettiar groom and family prior to the wedding. On the day of the marriage, the family of the groom arrives at the bride's town or village. But they do not stay or visit the bride's house as traditionally the bride and groom are not supposed to see each other before the wedding. Usually, they wait at a community hall or a temple and wait to be invited by the bride's family. Let’s check out why the Mappillai azhaippu is an important ritual in the Chettiar weddings:
\n\nImportance of Mappillai Azhaippu in Tamil Chettiar Weddings
\nThe family members of the groom are called Mappillai Veetar meaning the Groom's family. The father of the bride visits the groom and his family to invite them. The bride's family are called Pen Veetar meaning the Bride's side. The bride's family invites the groom's family with music and traditional instruments. This ritual is called Mappillai Azhaippu.
Mapillai azhaippu is a grand celebration in Chettiar marriage rituals to announce to the neighbourhood that the mapillai (groom) is in town and all the relatives of both the bride and groom participate in the ritual. The groom is taken in a procession which ends at the mandapam.
\n\nTraditionally, the groom’s family used to wait at a temple from which the bride’s family would invite them and get them over to the bride’s house or wedding hall for the wedding. Today, the mapillai azhaippu is done at a temple inside the compound of the wedding hall and then the groom’s family is taken into the mandapam.
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