The actual culture and customs of India are reflected in a South Indian wedding. It’s vibrant with life, color, food, music, and love.
India is a melting pot of cultures, a mash-up of languages, cultures with differing traditions, and so on. It’s as though you’ve arrived in a country where people of many races, castes, faiths, and languages coexist together. But we’re not going to talk about how amazing India is!
So, without further ado, let’s go right into various costume ideas for a South Indian bride on her wedding day, taking you through the rites and ceremonies that take place on the same day and how you may dress up for them, whether you’re the bride or a visitor at a South Indian wedding.
1. Mangala Snanam
As strange as the name may sound, it can be shortened to mangal snan, or purifying bath.
It is the first ceremony conducted on the wedding day, in which Sumangalis, or married women, prepare a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, and kumkum.
The paste is then applied to her face, feet, and hands after some oil is poured to her hair. The bride bathes in holy water after this ritual to purify her body and soul in preparation for the wedding ceremony. As a bride, you will be coated in oil, turmeric, kumkum, and then water, therefore donning a heavy duty kanjeevaram saree for this function is pointless.
You are free to do whatever you like as long as it does not cause discomfort because you will be sitting for a long time and will be bathed in water.
2. Gauri Puja
This custom is now solely observed at the bride’s end, where she performs a little puja and gives prayers to Goddess Gauri, who represents purity, austerity, and virtue, after getting dressed.
This is one of the most religious and prosperous rituals for seeking the Goddess’s graces and divinity for a good marriage life ahead.
This bride’s hair is completely covered in mograsis, which is both strange and interesting to behold.
And because so many flowers without any jewellery aren’t something you see every day, it’s definitely not mainstream.
3. Kashi Yatra – Last Chance of Bachelorhood
In a South Indian wedding, the groom’s Kashi Yatra plays a significant part, but what exactly is this “Kashi Yatra”?
It’s a journey to the adobe of your Guru (teacher). The groom goes on a Kashi Yatra to seek the blessings, wisdom, and might of the universe as he embarks on a new life in which he would be responsible for a new person and begin a family. In order to carry on his family’s traditions.
The bride’s father and uncles encourage the groom to marry their daughter, despite the fact that this occasion has been changed into a pre-wedding jitters ceremony in which the groom analyses his bigger purpose in life by learning about Bhramacharya. Groom must bring an umbrella, refreshments for the journey (typically coconuts and rice), a walking stick, and a spare Dhoti for this Yatra.
4. Pada Puja
When the groom arrives at the wedding venue in a South Indian wedding, this ceremony is done by the bride’s family (or mandate in some cases). The bride’s family washes the groom’s feet with rose water, holy water, milk, sandalwood, and kumkum. Flower petals are used to dry the feet after they have been cleaned. The bride’s family treats the groom with respect.
5. Malai Maatral
After Kashi Yatra and Pada Puja, this is the fifth function where the bride and groom exchange flower garlands and the procedure is repeated three times with some levity in between, with both trying to avoid having the garland placed around their necks.
6. Kanyadanam
Kanya refers to a girl, while Danam refers to a gift or dakshina.
In this South Indian wedding rite, the groom is regarded as a representative of Lord Vishnu. To make a life-long relationship between the bride and husband, the end of the bride’s saree is attached to the end of the groom’s angavastram.
7. Saptapadi
In this South Indian wedding tradition, the bride and groom lock hands and circle the sacred fire seven times. Vows are exchanged and Vedic mantras are sung.
8. South Indian Wedding Reception
After all of the rites and customs are completed, the bride’s side usually throws a magnificent reception (but Indian livings these days in US and Canada, they share the expenses of reception).
Amazing vegetarian South Indian food is served here, and to tell you the truth, the food at a South Indian wedding is out of this world.
Bridal Suggestions
Plan ahead of time if you’re a South Indian bride who will only be wearing the Kanjeevaram saree. Choose one that reflects your personal style and have it embroidered to match the design and color of your saree. Make sure it’s a good fit for you.
Because jewellery and other accessories are such an important element of a South Indian bride’s overall style, be sure you have everything you need. Remember that the event will take place over the course of a day, and you may not be able to carry all of your belongings the entire time.
In every way, a South Indian wedding is quite traditional.
