Kuri Maaduva: Betrothal ceremony

An elder from the groom's 'okka' (clan) and his 'aruva' go to the bride's home on the appointed day. On this day the head of the bride's 'okka' invites his 'aruva' or anyone else he may wish to, to join in the celebrations in his house. If an astrologer is present, he is requested to find an auspicious day and time for the 'muhurtha', which is the most important wedding rite. He writes it down on a piece of paper called the 'lagna patrike' ('lagna' means marriage and 'patrike' means letter) and hands it over to both families.

At the betrothal ceremony the 'nellakki nadu baade' or the central hall of the house is swept and cow dung water is sprinkled all over it to ritually purify it. 'Nell' means paddy, 'akki' is rice; both signifying wealth and prosperity. 'Nadu' means middle or central and 'baade' means hall. The central hall is where the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi resides. A 'thaliyathakki bolcha' (an oil lamp which is lit and placed on a bell-metal plate on which some rice grains are strewn) is kept in the central hall. 'Thaliya' is plate, 'akki' is rice and 'bolcha' is a lamp with a burning wick.

Both families stand facing each other in front of this lamp. The two 'aruvas' then formalize the betrothal and the agreement is sealed, with promises that the wedding will be conducted in accordance with ancient customs.

Then, the groom's 'aruva' or another member of his 'okka' folds his hands in salutation in front of the lamp and puts either five 'panas' (coins) or a piece of jewellery for the bride on the 'thaliyathakki bolcha' signifying a pledge.

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Karik Muripa / Panda Pani: Cutting vegetables for curry and erecting the marriage 'pandal'

One day before the wedding, members from the bride and groom's 'okka' and villagers assemble for the 'karik muripa'. All the women gather together to cut vegetables in the main courtyard of the house, helping the cooks prepare for the feasts that follow, while the men help to erect the 'pandal'.

The marriage 'pandal' is usually erected over the steps leading to the house. At least one post of the 'pandal' should be made from the branch of a tree which exudes sap. Once the posts are erected, banana stumps with clusters of fruit are tied to them. The 'pandal' is further decorated with festoons made out of mango leaves and flowers.

After the work for the 'pandal' and the 'karik muripa' is over, the bride and groom (each in their respective homes) prays to the sacred lamp placed in the 'nellaki nadu baade' and seeks the blessings of his/her parents and all the assembled elders, by touching their feet thrice.

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Potti Dumbchiduva: Packing the bride's trousseau in boxes

After the villagers depart, it is time to pack the bride's trousseau. Members of her family gather in the 'nellaki nadu baade' and fill the boxes with her trousseau, which may include vessels, money, jewellery and clothes.

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Melkattu: Constructing the canopy for the wedding ceremony

On the wedding morning, a washer man ties a freshly washed white cloth under the 'pandal', forming a canopy which stretches all the way up to the main 'nellaki nadu baade'.

Following this, a red cloth made of silk is attached under the white canopy at the exact spot where the bride and groom will sit for the wedding rites or the 'muhurtha'. A bunch of ripe bananas hangs from one corner of the red cloth, a coconut from another, a cucumber from the third and three betel leaves hang from the fourth corner. Right in the center of this red cloth, three areca nuts or areca nut flowers are attached and suspended.

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Rituals for the Groom - divided into following segments:

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After this, he takes the blessings of his parents and elders by touching their feet thrice. He then proceeds for his ritual shave.

Using a brush made out of 'garike' (hariyali grass) the barber applies milk on the groom's face and shaves his facial hair and a part of his forehead. This shave is called the 'kombanjoura'. All the shaven hair is put in a plate of milk, making sure that not a single strand falls on the floor!

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Bath: Ritual bath for the groom:

The 'kshoura' over, the bridegroom is led by his 'aruva' or bojakaara' (best man) for his bath. Three 'muthaides' (married ladies) pour water on him for his ritual bath.

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Dress: The 'bojakaara' helps dress the groom

The 'bojakaara' dresses the groom after his bath. Once he is dressed, the groom applies 'vibuthi' (sacred ash) on his forehead and chews betel leaves and areca nuts before proceeding for his 'muhurtha' in a ceremonial walk.

A live band (mandatory in all Kodava weddings) now starts playing music to herald the arrival of the groom. The bridegroom holds a 'gejje thand' (a staff adorned with silver bells) and is led by the best man towards the marriage 'pandal'. The 'bojakaara' holds an umbrella covered with white cloth over the groom's head throughout the ceremonial walk to the 'muhurtha' site.

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Rituals for the bride - divided into following segments:

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Bath: Ritual bath for the bride

A lady from the 'aruva's' family or the 'bojakarthi' leads the bride for her ritual bath and three 'muthaides' pour water over her.

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Dress: The 'bojakarthi' helps dress the bride

After her bath, the bride's 'bojakarthi' helps her dress for the wedding ceremony. Once she is ready, the bride applies 'vibhuthi' (sacred ash) on her forehead, chews betel leaves and areca nuts, before being led to the 'muhurtha' site in a ceremonial walk.

As in the bridegroom's case, the 'bojakarthi' holds an umbrella covered with a white cloth over the bride's head throughout the ceremonial walk.

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Muhurtha: Preparations for the Muhurtha for the bride and groom

Before the bride or groom arrives at the 'muhurtha' site, the 'aruva's' wife lights the sacred lamp in the 'nellaki nadu baade'. She then spreads two or three mats, facing in a North-South direction, at the 'muhurtha' site. The washer man covers these mats with a carpet. In the center of this carpet the 'aruva's' wife places a 'mukkali' (low stool) and covers it with red cloth. Two other 'mukkalis' are placed on either side of the one in the center. A silver or bell-metal plate containing rice is placed on each of these and a 'kindi' (small metal pot with a spout) full of milk is placed on top of the rice on one of the 'mukkalis'. Two tall brass pedestal lamps are lit and placed on either side of the 'muhurtha' site.

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Baale Birud: Cutting the plantain stumps

On the path leading to the venue of the 'muhurtha' in the wedding house, nine or more (always multiples of three) plantain tree stumps, each measuring approximately a yard in length, are fixed vertically to small wooden stakes driven into the ground.

Only a select few are entitled to have the honour of cutting these plantain stumps. They are usually the maternal uncles of the bride/groom and renowned guests whom the family wishes to honour.

When the persons who are to receive the honour of 'baale birud' reach the wedding house, members of the host's family along with the 'aruva' and some villagers, proceed at once to the stumps, singing the 'batte paat' (song of the way) accompanied by a band and carrying a mat, a small pot of water, betel leaves and some areca nuts.

The guest who is going to perform the 'baale birud' calls out to the gods and prays with the villagers who may be accompanying him, according to the custom of his village. During the prayers all turbans and headgear are removed as a mark of respect.

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The Muhurtha ceremony: Separate Muhurthas for the bride and groom

The groom's 'odi kathi' and 'gejje thand' are set aside before he sits down on the 'mukkali' for the 'muhurtha'. When the groom/bride sits on the 'mukkali', a red cloth is spread on his/her lap. The 'bojakaara' sits slightly behind the groom to his right, while the 'bojakarthi' stands behind the bride.

Women come forward and bless the groom/bride before the men can do so. The mother is the first to bless the groom/bride followed by two 'muthaides'. These three ladies usually give gold coins as gifts.

The special mode of blessing and presenting gifts at this time is as follows: a little rice is taken from the plates placed on either side of the groom/bride and

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The wedding feast:

The Kodavas are renowned for the smorgasbord of sumptuous dishes they serve at their weddings. Many kinds of meat dishes are served (and several different preparations of each type of meat) including pork, lamb and chicken.

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The couple is served their meal:

The bride and the groom remain in the rooms they were escorted into after the 'muhurtha' and their meals are served there. Two of their chosen friends or companions join them for the meal, and they eat from the same plate as the bride and groom.

Bidding farewell to guests after the Muhurtha:

In both the 'muhurthas', the special guests who were offered the honour of performing the 'baale birud', are now given the honour of being escorted by the hosts right up to the spot where the plantain stumps are staked, to the accompaniment of the wedding band.

After the wedding feast the bridegroom and his party prepares to leave in a wedding procession to the bride's home to bring her to her new home. These preparations begin with the filling of the 'poliya'.

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Poliya: Filling the reed baskets with foodstuffs

Once the meal is over in the groom's house, the 'aruva's' wife fills the 'poliya' (reed basket with a lid) in front of the sacred lamp in the 'nellaki nadu baade' with foodstuffs.

Just before the start of the wedding procession, the 'poliya' is placed on the head of the girl/lady who has been given the task of carrying this basket to the bride's house, by the 'aruva's' wife.

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The wedding procession: The groom proceeds to the bride's home

Before leaving for the bride's house, those who go in the procession usually have another meal along with the groom. Then the groom goes to the central hall, sprinkles rice on the sacred lamp and salutes it. He then touches the feet of all the elders, seeking their blessings before proceeding on his journey.

After that, the groom and his wedding band go to the 'kaimada' (a shrine near the ancestral home where statues representing the ancestors of the 'okka' are kept and worshipped). The groom sprinkles rice on the lamp in the 'kaimada', salutes it and goes to the site where the plantain stumps are staked and sits down there.

Now the head of the family arrives, offers the groom some advice and sends him and his party off on its journey.

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Potti Dumbchiduva: The bride's trousseau is displayed

A messenger goes to inform the bride's family of the arrival of the groom's procession, once it has reached the plantain stumps. On receiving this intimation, the bride's boxes, which were packed on the previous evening, are checked in the presence of as many close relatives as possible. (Some families do not follow this custom these days).

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Kodiyaal or Koru Arapuvavu: Announcement of the arrival of the groom's procession

On reaching the plantain stumps, three men from the groom's party go to the bride's house to inform her family of the arrival of the groom's procession.

The bride's family offers these three men refreshments and then a chosen few from the bride's family along with the wedding band accompanies them to the spot where the plantain stumps are staked, to welcome the groom's procession.

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Welcoming the groom:

After the ceremonial cutting of the plantain stumps, the bride's family offers a traditional welcome to the groom. A young girl washes the feet of the groom and his 'bojakaara' with water.

The bride's family then showers him with blessings by sprinkling rice on his head as he enters the bride's house. He and his 'bojakaara' are then led to the central hall of the house and are seated there.

The 'aruva's' wife takes the 'poliya' from the lady who has been carrying it all this time and places it under the sacred lamp in the central hall.

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A special meal is served to the groom's procession:

The groom's future mother-in-law feeds him with a mixture of rice, milk and sugar. Then the groom, his 'bojakaara' and one other person are served their meal. Following this, the rest of the people from the groom's procession are served their meal.

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Dampathi Muhurtha: Combined Muhurtha for the bride and groom

After the groom's family has had their meal, the bride and groom are seated together under the canopy for the 'Dampathi Muhurtha'. The groom is seated first, to the bride's right. All the rituals observed here are identical to the ones observed in the earlier separate 'muhurthas', the only difference being, that, here the bride is offered the milk, which was brought in the 'poliya' by the groom's family.

After the 'Dampathi Muhurtha' is over, the groom showers rice on the bride's head offers her milk in the 'kindi' and gives her the 'cheela pana' (a small bag made from red silk containing at least one gold, one silver and one copper coin). This signifies that he is sharing his wealth with his bride. The couple then exchanges garlands.

Then the bride is taken to the kitchen. The couple stands on either side of the threshold of the kitchen. The groom then takes his bride's right hand and helps her across the threshold out to the central hall.

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Sammanda Paraje or Sammanda Kodupa: Bestowal of rights on the bride

The bride receives the 'sammanda' (rights) in her groom's 'okka' at this time. This is a very important part of the formalities that legalize the marriage, even though it is filled with exaggerated comments and much hilarity.

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Batte Thadpa: Blocking the path

After the bride receives the 'sammanda' it is time for the wedding procession to return to the groom's house with the bride. The bride's cousin, who could have married her by tradition, however blocks her path at the threshold and after much hilarity 'releases' her after her husband gives the cousin a gold coin!

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Baale Birud: Cutting the plantain stumps

On reaching the groom's house, the same ritual is observed of cutting the plantain stumps, this time by the bride's family.

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Welcoming the bride:

After the 'baale birud' the couple is showered with rice on their walk up the steps of the groom's house.

Immediately on entering his home, the groom goes to the 'kanni kombare', sprinkles rice on the sacred lamp there and salutes it. Next, he goes to the 'nellaki nadu baade', sprinkles rice on the 'kanni kamba' there and salutes it.

The bride is now blessed in front of the sacred lamp in the 'nellaki nadu baade' by the groom's family members. She may also receive gifts from them at this time.

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Neer Edpa / Ganga Puja: The bride fetches water from a river or well

This ceremony symbolizes the bride's becoming a part of the groom's family and helping in household chores. The entire ritual also tests the stamina of the newly wed bride!

After her meal, the bride combs her hair and ties a 'vastra' (traditional headdress generally worn by a married lady in the Kodava community). She then proceeds to remove all the ornaments on her feet and puts on silver toe-rings (symbols of a married lady).

Once again she is led to the central where she offers prayers at the sacred lamp lit there and sprinkles some rice on it.

She is then led to the well or river for the 'Ganga Puja' (worship of the sacred river, Ganga) accompanied by the wedding band. Four small pots are kept ready beside the well. The bride draws water from the well and pours it into each of these pots. She then places two pots of water on her head, one on top of the other, on a small circular cushion. Two other ladies from the groom's family carry each of the other two pots of water on similar cushions and walk with the bride, one in the front and one at the rear.

This procession is now ready to return to the house accompanied by the wedding band playing a slow beat. The bride is supposed to take very small steps ('mangalth mott' or wedding step) to the beat of the music. Members of the groom's family dance in front of her, not allowing her to proceed, thus blocking her path!

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Potti Kaatuva: The bride's trousseau is displayed once again

The bride's trousseau and all other items brought by her are shown to all the members of the groom's family.

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Feasting: A grand meal is served by the bride's family

All the members from the groom's family and guests now sit down to partake of a grand meal in which the bride and groom join in.

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The bride is given a new name:

The wedding song is sung now and in the song the singers change the name of the bride to the new name chosen for her by her husband's family. Changing the bride's name is an optional practice these days.

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Kombarek Kootavu: The groom is led to the bridal chamber

Either the 'bojakaara' or the 'aruva' leads the groom to the bridal chamber where the bride is seated with her veil covering her face. Before he can proceed to the chamber, the groom is led to the 'nellaki nadu baade' where he sprinkles rice on the sacred lamp and salutes it. On entering the chamber the groom lifts the veil from his bride's face and she touches his feet, seeking his blessings. It is now that the groom presents his bride with an ornament, usually a gold wedding band.

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