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Kerela Matrimonial |
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Kerela-one of the most beautiful states of India, lies to the extreme south west of the Indian peninsula. It enjoys a long coastline and is know for its vast expanses of lush greenery. The people follow time honored traditions and yet have been able to progress beyond limits. Kerela Matrimonial comprises a set of tradition and practises which are meticulously carried out by this community in order to solemnize a typical Keralite Marriage.
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The Keralite community prefers to fix marriages within the community itself . However, the people of this state have been opening up to the idea of inter- caste and community marriages as well. As a custom followed by all other Indian communities, Matrimony in India consists of the horoscopes of the boy and girl being exchanged by their respective parents. Kerela Matrimonial systems also comprise of matching the horoscope of the girl and boy of a marriageable age. If the horoscopes are found matching, then the marriage of the boy and girl are fixed. Other factors are taken into consideration to fix the marriage, no doubt, but this custom plays a very important role. It said to have a Divine angle to it as well. The parents seek the advice of an astrologer for this all important custom. They then approach a “Pandit” or wise religious man to fix the date of the marriage. He provides the parents with an auspicious time or “mahurat” in which the wedding can take place.
The day before the marriage, the boy is blessed individually by all the members of his family. He the proceeds for a special dinner by his family. It symbolizes a happy ending of his bachelorhood days. This applies to the bride as well. It is the last meal she eats being single. As a part of tradition, she sits facing the East. She then partakes of a set five course vegetarian meal with all her family members. This forms one of the important customs in the marriages of Kerela.
On the day of the marriage the groom visits the temple to seek the blessings of the Lord now that he is on the verge of starting a new life. He then moves on the seek the blessings of his parents and all the other elders present in the family.
As a part of the Kerela Matrimonial traditions, the wedding is always held solemnized during the day time. The groom arrives at the bride's house dressed as per traditions. He is made to sit in a room to the northwestern part of the house. As a part of the welcoming ceremony the girl's father washes the groom's feet with his own palms. The groom then presents his father- in- law with the off -white saree which has to be worn by her during while the wedding ceremony is going on. She gets married in this saree.
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The actual wedding ceremony now commences. As a part of the Kerela Matrimonial practises, the bride and the groom take three rounds around the Holy fire.
- The bride's father ties the “ Taali” around the neck of the bride. It is necklace made in yellow thread and symbolizes the permanent bond which has been established. The girl is expected to wear it all her life.
- Kanyadaan : This is the ceremony in which the bride's father officially hands her over to the loving care of the bridegroom.
- The bridegroom sits near his bride and tilts his head backwards to touch her forehead. This signifies a a kind of bonding which has just taken place.
- The newly wedded girl offers puffed rice to the sacred fire. This is done to the accompaniment of chants of Vedic Mantras.
- Her palms are now placed in that of her husband's.
- The groom now lifts the bride's feet and places it on a grinding stone. This signifies her movement into a new life. He now moves her feet forward seven times. This signifies her new membership into his family.
- The girl then is then tearfully bid adieu by her family and she is warmly welcomed by her new family. This is called “Grihapravesh. ”She enters the house holding the traditional lamp. The couple are welcomed with a lit lamp and the “Aarti” is performed.
- A formal prayer is held.
- The new daughter- in-law boils milk in the kitchen to symbolize her new membership into the family.
A marriage in Kerala takes place by the strict adherence to tradition. It is a true reflection of Matrimony in the traditionally rich India.
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