Nischay Tambulam Enagement

The first ceremony at a wedding is Nischay Tambulam is the engagement ceremony where the bridegroom’s ( hereafter BG ) Parents offer betel leaves and nuts to the bride’s ( hereafter B) parents, and BG parents offer a sari, coconut, and sweets to B and arrange food for all the relatives who attend the engagement. This is a confirmation of the wedding that will be scheduled in the days to come. During this ritual,

Both families exchange a written vow that their marriage ceremony will take place at a later date they have selected.

Pellikuthuru Ritual

This ceremony is similar to the North Indian wedding ceremony, haldi.  In this ritual at a specified muhurutam, haldi and oil are applied to both the bride and groom in their respective houses. They take a bath and wear new clothes. Mangala vayidyalu or Sanayin is played during all the rituals’

Snathakam:

This ritual is conducted at BG’s house, and he wears a holy silver or thread, which indicates that he is promoted from bachelorhood to a family man.

Kashi Yatra:

In this ritual, the bride’s brother approaches the BG and stops him from going on a pilgrimage, leaving all worldly rituals and relationships.  The bride’s brother promises his sister’s hand in marriage to the groom.

Pandha Kaal Nadutha

This means letting friends and family know that a wedding is soon about to take place. A bamboo pole is placed in front of the house or any one of the corners outside of the house, decorated with a host of items such as mango leaves, stems, and leaves of the banana plant, and colourful flowers. This ritual itself is a fun affair.