Indian weddings bring great joy as families celebrate the sacred union of two souls. For followers of Viswakarma, the Hindu god of architects and craftsmen, wedding rituals hold special significance. Viswakarma matrimony ceremonies blend ancient traditions with contemporary rituals for an auspicious celebration.
The Significance of Timing
The Viswakarma puja falls on the last day of the Tamil month Avani between August and September. Marrying near this auspicious date allows couples to receive Viswakarma’s blessings along with their marital vows. The timing also marks the start of married life by honoring the divine architect. Special pujas venerate Viswakarma before the wedding. Incorporating his traditions makes the union even more blessed.
Pre-Wedding Festivities
In the days before the ceremony, families celebrate with traditional singing and dancing. Women gather to sing folk songs and dance in circles. Preparing the wedding feast engages the whole community, with the groom also pitching in. Friends and relatives join the merriment, bonding with each other.
The bride and groom also take part in customs like applying turmeric paste and ceremonial baths. They nurture earthen sprouting pots during the wedding period, symbolizing their growing relationship.
Wedding Attire and Décor
New clothes hold importance on the occasion. The bride wears a red sari and gold jewelry gifted by the groom’s family. The groom dons a dhoti with a shawl. Fresh garlands of marigolds and roses adorn the couple. Banana trees and mango leaves may decorate the altar along with marigold chains. Elaborate rangolis and kolams beautify the area.
The Sacred Ceremony
At the auspicious hour, families gather as holy fire lights. The couple circles the fire making offerings to invoke the gods. They exchange garlands and vows to seal their union. Elders and priests bless them and shower rice and flowers over their heads. People break coconuts and bananas to ward off evil. The groom ties the wedding thali to the bride. Prayers thank Viswakarma and the gods for blessing the marriage.
Wedding Feast Celebration
A community meal follows the ceremony. Relatives cook traditional vegetarian dishes and sweets. Plantain leaves replace utensils during the feast. The menu includes sambar, rasam, poriyal, kootu with rice and curd. Payasam makes a sweet ending. Parents bless the newlyweds and give gifts launching their new journey.
The Viswakarma wedding celebrates faith and heritage through meaningful rituals. Blending matrimony with patron worship creates an auspicious occasion. Honoring roots lets couples forge an eternal bond grounded in tradition.
