Kannada Wedding Rituals

These ceremonies are not far from the traditional Hindu marriages. They are simple and allow the families to have a good time together. Different communities in Karnataka observe some different customs and traditions during the occasion and there are not many differences between them. The auspicious occasion is being celebrated in three parts before, on the day and after the event. The preceding ceremonies are Nandi, Nischay Tamulam, Havan, and Kaashi Yatre. On the D-Day, the customs are practiced like Mandap Puja, Dhare Herdu, and finally the Saptapadi.

They are followed before, during and after the main day. The Nischay Tamulam is the engagement ceremony where betel leaves and betel nut is offered to the bride's father. The groom's parents offer the bride sari, coconut, blouse and sweets. In the Nandi tradition, the blessings of god are taken for a trouble free ceremony. The Mandap Puja is the important part of the entire ceremony where the place of nuptial bond is worshipped and then Var Puja is performed by the parent's of the bride. The maternal uncle of the bride accompanies her to the stage and then there is the garlanding ceremony. During this ceremony, the bride's sister covers the face of the bride with a fan made of peacock feathers. The priest then chants the hymns.

The special features of these sacred practices are interesting and also very appropriate. For instance, Kaashi Yatre is quite interesting because in it the groom yearning for a bride pretends to be angry and starts packing for a journey to Kashi, which is a pilgrimage city. Then the maternal uncle asks him to refrain and promises that he will have his bride. The vidaai and the graha pravesh are also important as they signify the couple's entrance into married life.