Wedding of Ashmita and Rakshith

Wedding – Red & Gold Theme – The wedding rites started off at 4.30 AM on Mar 6th, 2011 with the Ankurarpana and Varapuja ceremonies followed by the Kasi yaatrai, Maalai Maatral and Unjal ceremonies. Wedding was done in traditional Iyer wedding ceremonies.
Maalai Maatral – This interesting ceremony involved Ashmita and Rakshith exchanging red orchid garlands thrice. It was fun watching the garland exchange as it resembled something akin to a basketball match where the groom was dodging the garland.
Oonjal – The garland exchange was followed by Oonjal or the Swing ceremony, where Rakshith & Ashmita were seated in a swing and given a mix of milk & banana by the ladies on both the groom’s & the bride’s side. The ladies sing to ward off “evil eye” as the bride and groom are seated on the oonjal.
Kaniyadanam – The Kaniyadanam involves the bride sitting on the father’s lap, and being given away to the groom. The priests from both sides of the family give an elaborate introduction of the bridge and the groom’s lineage & ancestors before proceeding with the Kaniyadanam ritual.
Thirumangalyam – The climax of the entire wedding ceremony, the groom ties the knot while the bride is seated on her father’s lap. This is followed by Saptapadhi where the bride and the groom walk around the holy fire.
The wedding was again attended by all our friends and relatives who were all present until the very end of the ceremony. I owe thanks to all for taking time out of their schedules to attend the ceremony to bless the couple.