Kerala Werdding Culture and Traditions

Kerala is a beautiful state where life of people is basically centered on the various activities including fishing, net buildings and shipping. Kerala has rich resources which have been gifted to it by the nature. Rich vegetations and harvests of coconut and supari are the main features of the Kerala state. The system of marriage that existed in Kerala is vast and diverse.

Marriage is Kerala is an event of fun and frolic like the rest of marriages. Marriage is an occasion when prospective husband and wife take various wedding vows. Horoscopes are matched first and then the date is finalized with the astrologers. Before the wedding day, the groom must dine with the elders of his family and relatives. Girl also observes the same rituals in her house.

Marriage takes place during the day. Before the marriage, the groom pays a visit to temple and takes the blessings of his elders.

When groom reaches the bride's house on the wedding day in a dhoti, his feet are washed by the bride's father. He gives white sari for the bride which she has to wear during the whole ceremony.

After this, lagan is performed in which girl and boy take three rounds around the fire. A 'taali' is put in yellow thread and tied around the neck of the bride by the father of the bride. Bride's father places her hand in the hands of the groom. The girl is given to boy in this way.

After this, groom sits in front of the bride and tilts her head backward and touched it with her forehead.

Girl's hands are filled with puffed rice and she offers it to the fire. She places her hands in the groom's hands and enchants mantras. Then he lifts her foot and touched it with the grinding stone to signify that all her past relations are broken now.

Then he again lifts her feet and moves it forward seven times with his hands. This signifies her entry in a new house.
Now, lavish fest is arranged. Friends and relatives shower flowers on the couple. They are given gifts. Couple seeks the blessing of the elders and parents.

After this, time comes for the departures of the bride to the groom's house. Amongst the big gathering of friends and relatives, girl leaves for her husband's house where is welcomed traditionally. She is asked to step her right foot first holding a lamp.

She is welcomed by the elders and parents of the groom. 'Grihapravesh' ceremony is very auspicious.

Ganpati puja is performed to seek the blessing for the prosperous and healthy married life of the couple.

She has to boil the milk in the kitchen which signifies her involvement in the family members.

Among all Hindu communites except Nambootiris, marriage with the cousin is popular. A boy has a right to marry the daughter of his maternal or paternal uncle. Among muslims in Kerala, marriage with the cousins is not a taboo.

Nambootiris women cannot remarry. In this community, there is no tying of thread or giving away of dhoti. However, the other rituals like kanyadanam, panigrahanam and sapta padi are same like rest of the community traditions.

Kerala a land of rich tradition is a land where strict customs are also adhered to so this is the style of a marriage there.