FIRST SEVEN STEPS OF INDIAN (HINDU) MARRIAGE

Today we are discussing the first seven steps in marriage, they are like this. Pellichoopulu(Marriage Alliance) this event will be arrange by the parents of both bride and bridge groom as mutual understanding which is very auspicious occasion both the bride and bride groom.In this occasion both bride and bride groom meet at first time and reciprocate their visions, will exchange their ideas, views and future plan of their life and relationships and it is a wonderful; auspicious happy occasion, and cannot be forgotten in one’s life throughout/through tout.

Nischitartam(Fixation) Both the sides of bride and bridegroom after exchanging their talk reciprocally, after negotiating their views about doury, presentations, ornaments one day call for a pundit for fixing an auspicious day for solemnizing the celestial marriage. All the above events will be started after the bride and bridegroom and parents of both sides have accepted the proposals. Then the pundits will fix an auspicious time in accordance with Jathakam(horoscope) of bride and bridegroom and will exchange papers which will be called “Lagnapatrika” along with beetals,beetal leaves, fruits and certain silk cloths( sari and blouse piece for bride and pant and shirts for bridegroom). It can be assumed, after observation that it is in an agreement like.

Snaathakam this event will be performed by the pundits either in the house of bridegroom or in the Kalyanamandapam, where the bridegroom stays. This will be started by worshiping of Lord Vinayaka, for all purification of bridegroom either by bodily or for the repentness by reciting gothra names of the bridegroom.

4. Kasiyatra in this event the bridegroom will say that he will go to the Kasi tour by adopting monkery, holding an umbrella in one hand and a stick in another hand and wearing foot wear amidst his retinue, that is relatives, kith and kin and among,band and sannayee instruments. Then the brother-in-law of the bridegroom will invite him by saying “O BATCHELOR” please cancel your Kasi tour and marry my sister and lead a “Family life”, by putting thilakam on his forehead and will also given new silk clothes for him to wear.

5. Edurukola-Varapooja (Worshiping and welcome bridegroom) in this event the father of the bride will go and welcome the bridegroom, who returned by cancelling his Kasi tour, on the word of brother-in-law for getting married his sister with a pot of Paanakam(prepared with Jaggary and water) new clothes and sannayi drums(formal welcoming music). First he give Panakam to bridegroom. Then to the parents and to the retinue of bridegroom, then invite all of them respectively to attend the marriage.

6. Samaavarthnam(Returned back) In Indian traditional it is usual to conduct the Samaavarthnam before conducting the marriage, which is an important one. Samaavarthnam means one who come back again. By means that a Bachelor who after finishing education and after getting permission from his guru for enjoying the married life will come back to his parents which will also be called that a bachelor(Bramhachari) who completes his legitimate duties. In this Samaavarthanam a bachelor will roam around Kasi and other sacred places with firm fortitude to attain wedded life.

7. Kanyavaranam(Welcoming) in this even, the father of bride will greet the bachelor, who is on tour and asks him to see his daughter and request him to marry her and lead a wedded life.Then the bachelor(Bramhachari), after hearing teaches of the father of the bride, will invited to the house of bride. Then the bridegroom after getting made-up beautifully will come to the house of bride along with his retinue,friends, kith&kin amidst sannayi & band to come to marry. The bride will be called as “Varaagamanam” “Kanyaavaranam”. The father of the bride will respectfully greet the retinue of the bridegroom and prepare them to get ready for attending the marriage. On the way of resting places”Panakam” will also be offered for relief.This will be called as “Madhuparkam”, even this entire event can also be called as “Edurukola” “Kanyavaranam”