Kannada Marriage Traditions

Marriage in Kannada is rather a very simple type of marriage. In Kannada marriage, various rituals are performed. Naandi is performed separately at houses of both boy and girl. It is performed so that everything in that marriage ceremony goes on peacefully.

Another important ritual is performed which is popularly called 'kashi yatri'. The groom pretends to be annoyed over the issue of not finding a suitable alliance for him. He announced to enter brahmcharya. At this his maternal uncle presents before him the girl he has chosen for him. Sometimes, he would offer the hand of his own daughter.
Traditionally, haldi ceremony is performed on the day before wedding. A paste of turmeric is applied on the body of the groom and the bride. All the items that are to be used in wedding are placed before the Lord Ganpati. Uddin murth, a type of grain is grounded.

On the day of wedding the mandap is decorated where the ceremony is to be performed. After the procession of groom's friends, relatives and family members arrived at the house of the bride, groom is taken to mandap by the bride's father. His feet are washed with water and milk.

Then he is presented a dhoti and pitambhar. He is supposed to wear these things. After he is ready, bride arrives in the mandap with a face covered by the fan made of peacock feathers. Nobody is allowed to see her face. A white piece of cloth is held between the girl and boy. They exchanged garlands and see each other face amidst the enchanting of mantras.

Then a small ceremony takes place where girl is handed over to the groom. The groom holds the bride's hand with coconut and beetle leaves. Water is poured over their hands. Then mangalsutra is tied around the neck of the girl.

Another important ceremony called saptapadi is held. Seven rounds are taken by the couple around the fire. Vows are taken by the couple. Okhli is played after this ritual. The groom's ring is dipped in the colored water and the bride and her brothers have to search for it.

The grah parvesh usually refers to the entry of the bride in her new house. The girl enters the house after hitting a pot full of rice with her right feet. Name changing ceremony is performed where the name of the girl is changed by the groom.

On the second day of her marriage, the bride's family comes to take her and groom along with themselves to their house. The couple stayed there for some days. Then the groom's family comes to take them back.

Five sarees are given to the bride by the groom's family. One simple saree is given for the haldi, nice saree is given for dare pooja, Kanjivaram saree is given for the wedding, a saree for other pooja and one is given to be worn when bride reaches the groom's house. She has to sit on this saree which is later given to him.

In the evening, a big feast is held where all close relatives and friends are invited. Food served is generally specially made for the occasion. At the end of the ceremony, each guest is handed a packet of sweets with a coconut.