Maapillai Alaippu- Conducting Groom to the Hall

At the appointed time on the wedding day, the Tholan the best man), the bride’s brother, with a following of relatives made up of wedded pairs, sets off for the groom’s house. There, he places the thalaipa (turban) on the groom’s head and escorts him to the wedding hall accompanied by the groom’s family, relatives and friends.

Maapillai Varavetpu – Welcoming the Groom

The wedding commences with the arrival of the groom and his retinue at the wedding hall. the Tholi (the bride’s maid), the groom’s married sister, bears the Koorai (the bridal saree) and the Thaali. at the entrance to the wedding hall, which represents the bride’s residence, her parents welcome the groom with the flower garland.

The Tholan wets the groom’s feet with the Chempu (a bronze vessel) of water, a gesture lavished on an honoured guest, and he in in return rewarded with a gold ring for his good grace. Two ladies representing the bide and the groom perform Aarathi to ward off the evil eye with banana-wick lamps on a tray. Thereafter, to the accompaniment of Nathswaram ( a wind instrument) and Thavil ( a percussion instrument) the Tholan and the bride’s parents lead the groom to the Manavarai, the flower festooned nuptial seat, where the priest awaits to perform the ceremony.