"Engal Kalyanam" ~ "Our Wedding"

Sujithra 

Weds 

Arjun

The day had finally arrived. After 6 months of waiting here we were to begin our life together.



The Tam-Brahm Wedding. . . !!!


May 11th Morning : 
This day , I woke up early not from sleep but from bed all excited... my big weekend !! sorry our big weekend :)


Our car moved in slowly through the gates of our marriage hall. The contractor alerted his team at the hall yelling that the bride has arrived. The music began as I stepped out and waited while my mom and aunty took aarathi.

Maapillai Azhaipu and vratham ~ Welcoming the groom and fasting  :
The rituals began with me having to fast for two hours :p   Then I waited to hear the sound of nadaswaram and melam  which would announce the arrival of the bridegroom. I sat there patiently after surrendering to my beautician . An hour later I heard the arrival of my hero... my aunts and cousins rushed in to give me the news " maplai vandachu ".

Nischayathartham:
After his fast and pooja they called me out for our nischayathartham ( formal engagement ). Aaaah the long wait to catch a glimpse of him and his smile that sweeps me off completely came to an end. A big thank you to the photographer who brought us close for the first click of the day. During the nischayathartham he sat next to me pulling my legs like he usually does. The same dialog I was used to hearing in these 6 months of being engaged to him " Suji I can't be myself if I dont tease you... Can't work, eat , sleep etc etc properly ... " . Those are the words which I love and hate completely .. Oxymoron !!

May 11th Evening : Reception
Our Reception began with a delay ... 3 hours of wishes and smiles pouring in to bless our new start. Then we moved on to our dinner. Our relatives gently paved way for the two of us to have our moments together. A small walk in the lawn and finally his good night kiss. That smile that said you will be my wife tomorrow :)



May 12th Morning : 

Kashi Yatra:
The first event this morning was the Kashi yatra wherein Arju had to pretend to go to kashi leaving all worldly pleasures and my father had to stop him and persuade him to marry me. Arju had long time planned to take a flight to kashi but then dad had got him some tight slippers which prevented him from running away. His dad went missing when he turned around whilst planning to run away and his uncle said he had forgotten the kashi tickets. He merrily came back though he cribbed while mentioning his reason for coming back.


Maalai Matram ~ Exchange of garlands:
Next was the Exchange of garlands. My uncles carried me high so that Arju had to jump to reach me and same his side. His best friend joined to help in carrying him. Strong guy Arju ;-)

Oonjal:
Then we were made to sit in the oonjal (swing) decorated with flowers and was rocked to and fro. Then moms & aunts from both sides cleansed our feet with milk and fed us with milk and banana followed by balls of red and yellow rice were rounded three times and thrown in all directions to cast off the evil eyes .

Muhurtham:
I was made to sit on appa's lap and received my 9 yards saree. Clad in 9 yards saree I sat on appa's lap awaiting the auspicious moment . Kanika dhanam happened wherein my dad held and placed my hands into Arjun's upturned hands giving me away to him.

Mangalyadharanam:
Seated in appa's lap , amidst the holy mantras Arju tied my taali. He made the first two knots and last one was completed by his sis. Officially Mrs. Sujithra Arjun :)

Sapthapadi:
During this ritual Arju held my right hand and we walked around the sacred fire. Then he bent down and held my right toe with his right hand and helped me take seven steps around the fire. The mantras recited during this time seeks the blessings of Lord vishnu to bless us is what I was told later on .

This was followed by an hour of homams with loads of prayers for our well being...

May 12th Evening :Nalangu
The last event at our wedding was the nalangu. Arju and me were made to sit facing each other and asked to apply turmeric to each others feet. Then we played few games like rolling the coconut, breaking papadams and a small tug of war with coconut. We were made to sing for each other. He did sing a song which surprised everyone right from his dad , mom and sister [ to those who know tamil he sang : Aadi pona avani ava aala mayakum davani  ;-) ]

Well that's about our happy wedding and I have my soul mate now. Like I always say Thank you God , dad and mom !!

Few happy wedding moments put together :)

Mom and Dad in law missing will add once i get the pics

P.S : Must mention that this is 50th Post in my Blog and it is special indeed .. had to ASK, READ a lot and EXPERIENCE personally to write this post  :)