One or two days prior to the marriage date, the bride groom along with his parents, his relatives and `ja:tti’ go to brides’s house and enjoy a day’s rest and food there. Bride is given bath and new clothes and ornaments. Next day both the bride and bridegroom along with their relatives, and `ja:tti’ go to the bridegroom’s village. On reaching near the bridegroom’s house, the ladies bring water in a small pot and a tray which contains betel leaves, incense sticks, sandal paste and coconut all representing the goodness which is going to come to the family on the arrival of the bride. People accompanying the bride and the bridegroom bless the unmarried couple and worship the materials displayed on the tray. On the forehead of both the bride and the bridegroom tilak is put by an old lady. On that night, bride is taken to the bridegroom’s `ja:tti’s house along with the `kokke ta i brought from bride’s house and the bridegroom in turn goes to his own house after a combined feast for both the families. |
| Next day morning at 6’ O clock elders and the close relatives of the bride, bring the latter from the `ja:ttis’ house and the bride is asked to sit on a rectangular plank. The plank is tied with yellow rope and decorated with betel leaves. In front of the plank two pots of water and two pots of milk are placed. The elders and the relatives sprinkle water and pieces of betel leaves on the bride three times each and utter some prayer in Urali with an intention to chase the evil doer’s eye from attacking the bride. Then she is given hot water bath. Thin layer of sandal and turmeric paste is applied over the bride’s body. Once the bride takes bath, she is not allowed to walk on the ground. Bride’s maternal uncle that is her mother’s brother carries her on the hip to the `ja:tti’s house again. At this time, from the bridegroom’s house ornaments and new clothes are sent for the bride. After wearing the ceremonial dress, the bride is again carried by her maternal uncle and for the first time she is taken to the `pandal’ constructed outside the bridegroom’s house. In the `pandal’ a special place is decorated and kept vacant for the bride and bridegroom. Both are made to sit side by side. In front of them a small lamp would be burning and around the lamp in two trays coconuts, betel leaves, incense sticks and sandal paste are kept. At the fixed time (muhurtham) before the `rakukalam’ starts, the bridegroom ties the yellow rope around the neck of the bride. |
After the wed-lock is tied, the relatives of both the bride and the bridegroom keep `moyppa am’ (presentation) in front of the newly wed couple. This may include anything from money to different materials, big brass vessels, cloth pieces, sarees etc. |
| The bride is taken to her husband’s house. Before entering into the bridegroom’s house, the bride presents one saree each to the two ladies belonging to the same clan, who stand on the threshold of the bridegroom’s house. After the marriage function is over, all the relatives are served with special food of chicken and mutton and sweet. On the following morning, the newly married couple visits the nearest temple to worship the god. Nine days after the marriage, the newly wed couple along with the relatives of the bridegroom visit the bride’s house. While going they will take some eatables kept in two or three newly prepared baskets. These etables are given to the bride’s parents by the bridegroom’s parents. The visitors stay there for four days and return back to their village along with the new couple. |
| After marriage the status of the married person is elevated in the society. In all the matters related to the family, the married couples are consulted by the elders. |
 |
 |
|
