Kasi Yatra

The groom, wearing a new sandal, holding an umbrella and a walking stick, proceeds on his yatra to Kasi (a.k.a. Banaras, India – one of the holiest hindu cities). The father of the girl intercepts him, offering his daughter in marriage and brings him to Grahasth Ashramam.

The boy and the girl exchange garlands–usually helped by their uncles lifting them bodily.

The bride and groom sit on the swing. Friends and relatives display their talent in classical music, providing festivity to the atmosphere. The swing signifies the ups and downs of life.

Sacred grass tied around a wooden yoke with the mangalyam (necklace that the bride wears which is equivalent to a wedding ring) is placed on the head of the girl. Holy water is sprinkled on it. This represents the two bullocks yoked together, to express symbolically that the long journey of marital life would progress well in harmony like two bullocks yoked together.

The most precious moment in one’s life. The bride sits on her fathers lap. The groom ties the mangalya sutra around the bride’s neck with prayers for his well being and for her to live a hundred years.

The bride-groom holds the bride’s right hand and recites the marriage vows in four mantras. He prays Agni the God of fire, Saraswathi the Goddess of knowledge, and Vayu the Lord of wind for blessings, long life and congruence of mind.

The groom takes the right big toe of the bride in his right hand and walks her seven steps. At each step he seeks a blessing for the bride. The marriage gets completed. The mantras recited mean: “You may become my companion, whereby I acquire your friendship. We shall remain together inseparable. Let us make a vow together, we shall share love, share the same food, share the strengths. We shall be of the same mind, we shall observe the vows together.”

During Nalungu, the ladies sing songs poking fun at the bridegroom and the in-laws. These events bring out many qualities of the bride and the groom-sporting spirit, kindness, strength, cooperative nature, etc.