Various Malayee wedding rituals have been detailing in the following article.
Muhurtham
In the ritual, the Kundli or the horoscope of the boy and the girl are exchanged between parents of bride a groom.
Using these details, they decide their starts match or not. Once the match has been made, an auspicious date is fixed by the family priest.
Nischayam
It is an interesting way of affirmation for the marriage between the parents of the bride and the groom. It is called as an engagement which is settled by the elders in the family. The bride and the groom are not present at this occasion.
Traditional feast
The bride is asked to take an east facing towards east direction with respect to the sun. a traditional five course vegetarian meal is prepared in the bride`s paternal house. The bride takes this meal with her family.
Madhuparkam
There are no strict rules for the wedding attire of the bride or the groom. The bride may wear a Mundus or any other sari she likes. The groom settles down for an angavastram and a dhoti. Clad in this traditional attire, he arrives at the venue for marriage. The groom is welcomed by the bride`s father, who washes his feet. This is called Madhuparkam.
The groom then gives a white colored sari to the bride that she has to wear during the nuptials.
Veli
Veli the name given to the official wedding ceremony. The couple takes three rounds around the sacred fire while the priest recites Vedic mantras. After this the father of the bride gives her hand into the hand of the groom. This ritual is called by the name of Kanyadaan. It is also called by the name of Penkoda.
Sparsham
In this ritual, the bride and the groom put hands at each other’s foreheads. This signifies seeking of blessings from the god to let their minds be in unison. This is a custom which is distinctive amongst other malayaleewedding rituals
Grihapravesha
Earthen lamps are lit top mark the entrance of bride and the groom to the groom’s house. The bride is welcomed by all here.
