A Wedding Story Begins

After years of blogging about music, personal finance, travel, and the occasional whimsical topic, I found myself drawn to something far more personal—a family celebration rich in culture and emotion. Though the idea of documenting Priya Weds Sanjiv had lingered quietly in the back of my mind, it was a gentle prod from Suresh that nudged me into deeper thought—and eventually, into action.

This is my first attempt to chronicle a family function, and unlike my earlier blogs told in the first person, here I’ve taken a step back to narrate in the third person, allowing the story to unfold from a broader lens.

What follows is more than just a wedding diary. It is the story of a bride and a groom, of two families converging through rituals, relationships, and a shared sense of joy. From the engagement to the Grihapravesham, it captures not just events, but the spirit behind them—the laughter, the chaos, the meaning.

This blog is both a keepsake for those who were part of the journey and a glimpse into the beauty of tradition for those who weren’t. A celebration in words of love, legacy, and the people who made it all happen.

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Epilogue: A Celebration Etched in Memory

 After spending years blogging about personal finance, music, travel, and an assortment of other interests, this attempt to chronicle a family wedding felt both unfamiliar and deeply personal. What began as a modest plan to document a few rituals and ceremonies gradually evolved into a full-fledged narrative of “Priya Weds Sanjiv”—a journey through the intricate, colorful world of a traditional South Indian Brahmin wedding.

Unlike my earlier blogs, which were written in the first person and often introspective, this time I took a step back and let the story speak for itself in the third person. This shift allowed for a broader, more immersive view—of not just the bride and groom, but of the people, the rituals, the music, the quiet chaos, and the emotional currents that ran underneath every carefully planned event.

What started with an engagement—Nischayathartham—unfolded into a sequence of beautifully orchestrated ceremonies: the playful drama of Kasi Yatra, the poetic rhythm of the Oonjal, the deeply symbolic Mangalyadharanam, and the tender rituals of Ammi Midhithal and Sapthapathi. Each moment added a layer to the tapestry of this wedding, rich in tradition and rooted in the values of two communities—Priya’s Iyer and Sanjiv’s Iyengar heritage—coming together in harmony.

More than just rituals and customs, this blog became a reflection of the people behind the scenes—the parents tirelessly coordinating every detail, the vadhyars anchoring the spiritual core, the cousins and friends pitching in at every turn, the uncles cracking jokes at just the right moments, and the guests, who came with blessings and left with stories. It captured those fleeting, unscripted moments—the gentle teasing on stage, the surprise singing performance, the late afternoon coffee after Grihapravesham, and the lovingly decorated car that whisked the couple into their new life.

This wasn’t merely a record of events. It was an attempt to preserve the mood, the warmth, the laughter, and the solemnity that wove themselves into the fabric of this celebration. It was about documenting not just what happened, but how it felt—for the couple, for their families, and for those of us lucky enough to be part of the experience.

And now, with bags packed, rituals completed, and photos taken, the wedding fades into memory—but what remains is a sense of fulfillment. A sacred union was blessed by tradition, sustained by love, and celebrated with joy.

As Priya and Sanjiv move forward into married life, they carry not only each other’s hands, but the warmth and wishes of everyone who surrounded them that day. And for me, this blog became more than a chronicle—it became a celebration of love, family, culture, and the timeless beauty of coming together.

3rd February - Wedding Day - Final Part

Another Grihapravesham

By 6:30 PM, with all logistical matters sorted, Sanjiv, Priya, and their parents prepared to leave the wedding hall and proceed to Sanjiv’s home at Raheja for a formal Griha Pravesham. They departed in two vehicles, one driven by Srini and the other by Ishu—Priya’s close friend. Sanjiv and Priya rode in Ishu’s new car. 

At the Raheja residence, a neighbour assisted Sarayu in conducting the traditional arati to welcome the newlyweds into their new home. Thoughtfully, she had also brewed a strong pot of fresh coffee—a simple but much-needed gesture that was deeply appreciated after the long day. After a brief pooja at the family shrine, it was time for Srini and Geetha to take their leave and return home.

The Final Farewell

Unbeknownst to the couple, Ishu and her close circle of friends had been secretly planning a special surprise to mark the beginning of Sanjiv and Priya’s new journey together. Knowing how emotionally and physically exhausting the wedding days can be, they had thoughtfully arranged a cozy, quiet night stay for the newlyweds at a beautiful location. Ishu, always known for her attention to detail and deep affection for Priya, had taken it upon herself to ensure that everything went smoothly. From finalizing the place to coordinating the logistics, she had left no stone unturned.

Earlier, she had even insisted that her family expedite the delivery of their new car, just so it could be used to chauffeur the couple in style. Decorated tastefully with flowers and ribbons, the car stood as a subtle yet heartfelt expression of her love, friendship, and sense of occasion. When Sanjiv and Priya stepped into the vehicle, they were visibly touched—not just by the thoughtful planning, but by the emotional warmth behind it all.

As they drove off with Ishu behind the wheel, laughter and teasing filled the air. For a few blissful moments, the newlyweds were no longer the center of a formal ceremony, but just two friends starting a new life, surrounded by the comfort of old bonds. The destination didn’t matter as much as the feeling—it was the perfect, gentle transition from the structured rituals of the wedding to the more personal, spontaneous beginning of married life.

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3rd February - Wedding Day - Part VI

Paligai

Readers may recall that on the earlier day morning, during the Nischayathartham, the Paligai ceremony was conducted. In this ritual, sumangalis (married women) from both families had placed soaked grains and pulses in small earthen pots and watered them with prayers for fertility, prosperity, and a blessed married life. Traditionally, once the grains sprout, the pots are immersed in a natural water body such as a pond or rivulet to symbolically return the blessings to nature. However, in a bustling metro like Mumbai, finding such a spot can be a challenge. In such cases, the ritual concludes by immersing the paligai pots in a bucket of water. 

Kattu Saadam

By the time the ritual concluded, it was around 3:30 PM. Many outstation guests needed to begin their journey back, either by train or flight. Honouring a thoughtful tradition, both families had arranged kattu saadam—a neatly packed meal—for these travelers. The catering team led by A.S. Rajashekar had been instructed well in advance. The gesture was deeply appreciated by guests, especially those facing long journeys. Even some local guests, including members of the immediate families, opted to take kattu saadam home, happy to skip the chore of cooking after a busy few days.

As the afternoon wore on, most of the remaining guests began bidding farewell. Though no one truly felt like leaving, the time had come to part ways. Amid heartfelt goodbyes and lingering hugs, the hall gradually emptied. By 4:00 PM, both Srini and Suresh had delegated teams from their respective sides to begin packing up. Rooms had to be vacated, and an array of items—luggage, gifts, seer bakshanam, and various ceremonial paraphernalia—had to be organized and sent back to their respective homes.

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3rd February - Wedding Day - Part V

Oonjal 2 

As mentioned earlier in Part II, we witnessed the oonjal (swing) ceremony, where sumangalis (married women) from Priya’s side performed the pidi chuthal ritual, while those from Sanjiv’s side stood behind the swing bearing the traditional seer bakshanam. In this second oonjal, the roles were reversed: sumangalis from Sanjiv’s family now performed the pidi chuthal, while Priya’s side stood behind the couple with the offerings.

Grihapravesham

This ritual marks the transition to the symbolic grihapravesham—the bride’s ceremonial entry into the groom’s household. In this case, it was represented by Priya, accompanied by her relatives and the ketti melam, entering the room allotted to Sanjiv and his parents in the wedding hall. Once inside, she offered theratti paal (a sweet milk-based dessert) to all present, symbolizing a sweet and auspicious beginning in her new home.

Lunch

Meanwhile, the guests had begun assembling in the dining hall, drawn by the aromas of a grand lunch. The catering, managed by A.S. Rajashekar and team—who were also responsible for many other logistical arrangements during the wedding—was nothing short of spectacular.

Guests were treated to a lavish spread, reflecting the culinary richness of a traditional South Indian Brahmin wedding. Those attending such a wedding for the first time were pleasantly surprised to find five varieties of sweets served during lunch—a detail they assumed to be customary at all such weddings, thanks to the thoughtful menu curated for Sanjiv and Priya’s big day.

It turned out to be a gastronomic experience that guests would fondly remember for a long, long time.

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3rd February - Wedding Day - Part IV

Ammi Midhithal, Sapthapathi, and Pori

Symbolically, after the Mangalyadharanam, the bride’s parents step back from center stage, and the groom assumes a more prominent role in the rituals that follow.

The next significant ceremony was Ammi Midhithal—where the bride places her feet on a grindstone after circumambulating the sacred fire three times. This act symbolizes stability and strength in her new life. As Priya stepped on the ammi (grindstone), Priya's mami Radha adorned her toes with metti (silver toe rings), marking her formal entry into married life.

This was followed by the Sapthapathi, the seven sacred steps taken by the bride and groom around the agni (holy fire). With each step, the vadhyars recited mantras signifying the couple’s bond across the seven essential aspects of life: Strength, Prosperity, Sustenance, Happiness, Seasons, Offspring, and Lifelong Companionship.

The final important ritual was the offering of pori (puffed rice) into the fire. In this, Priya’s brother Rohan played a significant role, symbolizing the bride’s family’s blessings and continued presence in her life even after marriage.

To conclude the spiritual aspects of the wedding, Sanjiv performed a brief homam—a thanksgiving ritual—signifying the completion of the wedding rites and seeking divine blessings for their life ahead.

Asirvadhams

With the primary wedding rituals now completed, it was time for the aasirvadhams—formal blessings offered by friends, relatives, elders, and most notably, by temples and other religious institutions to whom wedding invitations had been sent in advance.

The vadhyars began reading out the blessings sent by these revered institutions. Many had sent special tokens of goodwill such as ornate garlands or shawls to be presented to the newlyweds as a mark of divine benediction.

Taking a cue from this, guests in the hall began forming an informal queue on one side of the stage to greet and bless the couple and their parents. Though not a pre-planned stage event, this spontaneous reception-like sequence unfolded gracefully. Interestingly, since the families of Suresh and Srini had not arranged a formal reception, many guests initially assumed this was a coordinated plan they had simply not been informed about!

Despite its impromptu nature, the session came together seamlessly. There were light moments of playful chatter on stage, lots of group photographs, and genuine expressions of joy. When the family later went through the photo collection, it felt refreshingly novel. Unlike typical reception photos—where the couple and their families are clad in formal Indian or Western attire—here, Sanjiv and Priya, along with their parents, looked resplendent in traditional wedding wear: madisar for the women and panchakacham for the men. The images beautifully captured the spirit of tradition and celebration.

This session concluded with the customary aarti, symbolizing divine protection and a joyful closure to the public ceremonies.

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3rd February - Wedding Day - Part III

Entering the Mandapam and the Dhara Vathu Koduthal

After the oonjal ceremony concluded, Sanjiv, still holding Priya’s hand, ceremoniously led her into the main wedding hall. The vadhyars resumed their chanting of mantra japam, setting the spiritual tone for the rituals to follow.

At this point, a symbolically significant ritual took place—Dhara Vathu Koduthal. Priya, seated on her father Srini’s lap, was formally handed over to Sanjiv. This is one of the most poignant moments in the wedding, marking the traditional kanyadaanam. The ritual precedes Priya’s change of attire and carries deep emotional and cultural weight.

The vadhyars chanted the appropriate mantras and presented the madisar (the traditional nine-yard saree) to Priya. She then left to change, having worn a six-yard saree until that point. Her return in the madisar would mark her formal transition into the role of a bride, now ready to step into the marital phase of her life.

Mangalyadharanam

By now, it was around 9:30 AM. The vadhyar had indicated earlier that Priya had until 10:00 AM to change into her madisar and return to the kalyana mandapam. To everyone’s pleasant surprise, the saree draper that Priya had arranged worked some magic—and by 9:45 AM, Priya was back, resplendent in a regal purple madisar, radiating grace and elegance.

A momentary hush descended upon the hall, followed immediately by a buzz of excitement as guests gravitated toward the stage where a chair had been placed in readiness for the next and most awaited ritual—Mangalyadharanam.

Srini was seated on the chair with Priya on his lap. Joining them on stage were Geetha, Sanjiv, Sarayu and Suresh, and other close family members, mamas and mamis, athais and athimbers, chithis and chithapas, periamma and periappas, thatha and patis, cousins, etc. Sanjiv’s cousin Sushmita stood just behind Srini, ready to assist with tying the sacred knot.

At exactly 9:51 AM, with the vadhyars chanting auspicious mantrams, and the mangalavadhyam (traditional wedding music) filling the air, Sanjiv tied the thali charadu around Priya’s neck. Guests showered the couple with akshathai (turmeric-coated rice) and flower petals, blessing them in unison.

Following this deeply emotional moment, guests—as is customary—started to move towards the stage to personally wish the couple and their families, offering greetings like “mattu ponnu vandhacha?” or “mappillai vandhacha?” depending on whom they were addressing.

To maintain the sanctity of the ongoing rituals, the vadhyars swiftly used the microphone to politely request the guests to hold back, explaining that some critical mantras and ceremonies were yet to be completed.

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