Ganapathy pooja

As in an inauguration of any function so also in a marriage - Ganapati, the God of Initiation is invoked, to keep away all impediments.

Nandhi Devatha Pooja

There are several presiding deities - the Nandhi Devatha. To propitiate them, a leaf-laden branch of the pipal tree is installed, and an ablution with milk is performed by five Sumangalis (housewife, with husband living). This pooja is followed by a presentation of a dhoti, and a saree to the marrying couple.

Navagraha Pooja

This is performed to propitiate the nine astral planets that rule over man's destiny.

Viratham

The marriage ceremonies begin with the Viratham performed separately by the bride and the groom. For the bride, it means the tying of the KAPPU - the holy thread on her wrist which is meant to ward off all evil spirits. It symbolize a kind of the protective armour for the bride. For the groom, the various Gods - Indra, Soma, Chandra, Agni. From there on, the groom prepares himself for a new chapter in his life as a householder or Grihasta. The days of his bachelorhood or brahmacharya are now over and the acceptance of this is all what the Viratham is about.

Vara Pooja

The feet of the bridegroom is washed in milk, and wiped off with silk.

Water and lighted lamps are circulated around the swing in order to guard the couple against demons and ghosts.

Colored globules of cooked rice are waved in circular motion, and thrown away - to propitiate the evil spirits.

Pradhaana Homam

A crucial part of the wedding is the homage paid by the couple to AGNI, the fire- God. They circle around the fire, and feed it with ghee, and twigs of nine types of trees, as sacrificial fuel. The fumes that arise, are supposed to possess medicinal, curative and cleansing effects on the bodies of the couple.

AGNI, the mightiest power in the cosmos, the sacred purifier, the all-round benefactor, is deemed as a witness to the marriage (AGNI SAAKSHI)

Laaja Homam

This shall comprise the bride's own offering to the sacrificial fire. As she is forbidden to do it herself, her brother helps her. He gives her a handful of parched rice grains which she hands to bridegroom who on her behalf feeds it into the fire. Through this food offering, the bride seeks a long life for her husband, and propagation of the family. Participation of the bride's family members indicates the continuance of links between the two families, even after marriage. The couple circle around the fire, three times, and the feeding of the fire with parched rice, is repeated thrice.

Night Time Homam

• THE JAYAATHI HOMAM - is performed to propitiate the Gandharvas and deities.
• PRAVESA HOMAM - is done to solemnize the bride's entry in to the husband's home. The sacrificial fire is brought along by the bride.
• SESHA HOMAM - is Fire oblation with the residual ghee, a little of which is sprinkled on the bride's head four times.

Mangala Aarathi

A solution of lime and turmeric powder, and in colour, is prepared on a plate, and circled around, and thrown away to ward off evil eye. This is done a number of times during the entire wedding ceremony, and at the end.