INDIAN WEDDING: Bariksha(merisik)

Indian Wedding

After discussing about both Malay and Chinese wedding, for sure Indian wedding is the next topic. All can guess, right. Hopefully, you all can enjoy the reading..

Introduction

Indian community is the third largest ethnic group in Malaysia and also one of the people who have contributed towards the formation of a plural society in our country. Like other communities, the Indian community is also rich with features and still maintains their cultural culture until now. A costume practiced by the Indian community has many cultural similarities with the Malay community. This is clearly seen in the aspect of birth and marriage. Like other communities, the Indian community consists of various ethnic groups.

Indian weddings are very bright events, filled with ritual and celebration that continue for several days. They are not small affairs, often with 400-1000 people attending (many of whom are unknown to the bride and groom). Though most marriages are arranged, some couples in urban areas have love marriages. The true Indian wedding is about two families getting wedded socially with much less emphasis on the individuals involved.

Before the wedding day:

Bariksha(merisik)

Bariksha (Var-iksha probably) is when the bride's parents have informally shown intentions that they want a particular groom, and the groom and his family have agreed. In this stage, several aspects need to be considered factors such as ethnicity, sub-ethnic, caste and religion. In addition, other factors such as economic status and social status include aspects such as age, education level, type of work, ethics and morality, looks and family background is also important. Often the information was obtained directly from the parties involved and also indirectly through friends and relatives. Sometimes the middle called tirumana taragaakan assist in this stage. Retracting at the end of this stage is frowned upon but is acceptable.

INDIAN WEDDING: Visit to the bridal house & to match the bridal

Visit to the Bridal House

Traditional custom is done after Bariksha done. Groom will visit the bride to his see future wife. Only a nominal number of members of the groom's family are present (usually only very close relatives, often in tens of numbers.

To celebrate this ceremony, the grooms family will brings the coconut, sirih, pinang, cendana, fruits, sounds and Kumkum powder. All the gifts are assuming as a sign of their arrival on the good faith and to further strengthen family relationships. The women will receive gifts, if agreed. If not, they only treat those who come as guests and can not take the gifts.

The bride will wear a sari and responsible serving of drinking water. At that time groom will see the bride more closely. Therefore, the bride will serve the guests who will include her future husband. Then visit this awarded by representatives of women. This time the bride did not participate. In the Indian community, custom pens paarttal also seeks to know the background of the groom.

Next stage is to match the bridal..

To Match the Bridal

This traditional will conducted first. It’s called Thairumanam Poruttam Paartal. In Hinduism there is no concept of divorce. There are 21 aspects to be taken in order to determine the suitability of a bridal couples in the way of tilikan dimanak Hindu. The others traditional which still practiced by the Hindu community are Tina poruttam / Natcattira poruttam, Kana poruttam, Mahentira poruttam, Pentiikka poruttam, Yooni poruttam, Raasi poruttam, Raasiyaati paati poruttam, Vaiya poruttam, Racau poruttam and Veetai poruttam.

INDIAN WEDDING: Bind Promise

Bind Promise

Bind promise or niccayam made after the approval of both bridal families. Representative men will go to the bride house in the total number of odd and brings the coconut, betel, pinang, flowers, fruits, cendana and Kumkum to be given to women representatives.

Once they arrive, both bridal fathers will discuss about the marriage. If one of the bridal father had died, the discussion will be held with the relatives. If both are agreeing, they will make a promise.

After that, the groom will recite the promise as approving that he will marry the bride. Next wedding will be announced to the public. As a sign of bonds, both bridals will change the sirih pinang which are name it as taambuulan marrutal. Then they will discuss about the cost for wedding day, invitation cards and so on. Then the niccayam ceremony will be performed and typically will be conducted by exchanging garlands.

INDIAN WEDDING: invitation cards & parisam

Invitation Cards

Invitation cards play an important role in the marriage of the Indian community. Invitation card is based on the Hindu almanac. If something happens, meaning the marriage can not be carried out smoothly. Turmeric powder will be applied on the invitation cards as the symbol of harmony.

Several pieces of invitation cards in odd numbers will be brought together into the temple to be pray (arccanai). Card is placed on the tray with betel, money, oil, pinang as a symbol of wealth.

The ceremony is called paanam paaku. Then tray will be brought to the bride house to be given to the groom and the groom also will bring the tray to bride. At the same time sirih pinang will be given as a sign of invitation marriage officially.

Parisam

Traditional parisam divided into two, namely parisam udan and common parisam. Common parisam is a gift will be given before the wedding day, while udan parisam is a gift will be given on the same day in the morning before the wedding day. In the Indian community, parisam is like an engagement ceremony. Traditional parisam gift will be held on the certain day set by both families. The groom will send the gift in the odd number. This gift will be prepared by cumanggali which is married woman.

INDIAN WEDDING: preparation of Thaali

Thaali or tjirumaangalyam a sacred symbol of marriage like a necklace both brides. Thaali was prepared by a white yarn applied with turmeric. Traditional thaali preparation is done seven or nine days before the marriage.

Three days before the marriage, thaali will be taken and put in praying place. After that, the prayer ceremony (thaalippadaiyal) will be conducted. In a ceremony, sweet porridge and sweet rice is provided include dhoti and sari for wedding couples.

INDIAN WEDDING: wedding day...

Thirumanan means through mergers or sacred marriage bond between husband and wife will remain until the end of life. There are three types of marriage in Indian society, namely Vaitikat Thairumanam, Tamil Thairumanam and Diya Thairumanam which the marriage is conducted based on aspects of ethnic groups

Wedding ceremony started with niccayam (bind promise) by giving gifts such as clothing and other. Invitation card applied with turmeric water brought to the temple in the odd number as a sign of official wedding invitation.

Kanggenam ceremony which is planting a tree that is straight and was applied with turmeric powder three days before the marriage. The groom is not allowed out for three days before the marriage. Marriage ceremony is performed by the Pedanda. Pedanda will scatter nine types of grains after the event wearing the ring. The groom will garlanding thaali made from yarn and is applied with turmeric. Both brides will give honor to their parents and change the tray filled with fruits and sweeping the dust on the bride forehead.

Among the custom made to respect and receive blessings include the gift of a piece of coconut with hole at the top, pour milk into it, giving betel, kissing the feet of parents (parents washing feet), giving gifts which are dhoti (father-in-law), essence (mother-in-law) and money. Typically bridal couple will exchange garlands three times and share the banana drink milk mixed. This ceremony marks the pair officially became husband and wife. Several important factors taken before the marriage ceremony held is to find happiness in life, including as a good time to married, meaning of thaali, valatu Kal, giving sweets, gifts, tribute to the groom, a symbol of banana trees, wedding banquet and open the wedding camp.