Here’s a “how to” video for those of us who need to learn how to tie a saree :
Indian style – Classic Nivi Drape
Image Source : Saree Dreams
Related Links :
Wikipedia : Sari
Recipe : Puttu
Puttu is a South Indian and Sri Lankan breakfast dish of steamed cylinders of ground rice layered with coconut. It is highly popular in the Indian state of Kerala as well as in many areas of Sri Lanka, where it is also known as pittu. ( Source : Wikipedia )
Red Rice Flour Puttu
Video :
More Puttu Recipes :
Wedding : Order of Ceremony
Here’s a brief outline of the order of ceremonies for a Ceylonese Hindu wedding :
WELCOMING GUESTS
Guests are welcomed with fragrant rose water which is lightly sprinkled upon them. Sandalwood paste, red saffron and sweets are offered to the guests so that all words, thoughts and relationships may be sweet on this auspicious day.
WELCOMING THE GROOM
The Groom’s wedding party is greeted at the entrance by the Bride’s parents and relatives. The Tholan (Best man) washes the Groom’s feet at the entrance and for this, a gold ring is presented to him. The Groom, Tholan, Parents, and married ladies bearing auspicious gifts proceed to the manavarai(marriage dais) where the Priest awaits to perform the ceremony.
RELIGIOUS RITES FOR THE GROOM
The Priest begins the ceremony and invokes Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, for his blessing and protection. This is signified by tying a saffron thread on the right wrist of the Groom.
PERAMBULATION
Three married ladies perform the sowing of Navadhanyam (Nine varieties of coloured grain) in an earthern pot. This is to ensure the fertility of the union. The priest then requests the same ladies to bring Agni (scared fire) who is the main witness and purifier of the wedding rites. This is to ensure that the wedding proceeds unimpeded.
THE BRIDE’S FIRST ENTRANCE
The Bride is led to the manavarai , by her Tholi (Bridesmaid), parents and relatives. The Bride takes her place on the right side of the groom. The Bride goes through the same rituals as the Groom.
KANNIHAADHANAM (Giving Away Of The Bride)
The Bride’s father gives away the Bride to the Groom with the consent of her mother, in the presence of the Groom’s parents. The priest proclaims the names of the Bride and Groom and calls upon three generations of ancestors to bless the union. The father expresses his willingness to give his daughter away to the Groom. The Groom stands before them and expresses his willingness to accept her. The father of the Bride then places the Bride’s hands in the plam of the Groom. A married couple from the Groom’s family, takes the Koorai (Wedding Saree), Thali Kodi (marriage necklace) and bridal garlands around on a tray to obtain the blessings of the parents,relatives and friends. The Groom then gives the Koorai to the Bride to change into.
THE BRIDE’S SECOND ENTRANCE
The Bride returns to the momentous event of the marriage ceremony. The Priest takes the Thaali Kodi, blesses it and hands it to the Groom, who stands up and ties the Thaali Kodi around the Bride’s neck to the resounding beat of Drums and the Nadaswaram.
Saffron coloured rice and flowers are showered upon the couple by relatives and friends. The Groom places red saffron on the knot of the Thaali Kodi and on the Bride’s forehead.
The Bride and Groom exchange garlands. The Tholan then leads the Groom who in turn holds his Bride’s hand and the Bride holding the Tholi’s hand go around the ceremonial fire.
AASEERVATHAM (Blessings)
The Priest blesses the newlyweds follwed by the parents and relatives, by sprinkling saffron coloured rice flowers on their knees, shoulder and head. To conclude the ceremony, two married ladies , perform the aalathi for the couple before they,leave the manavarai. This is to ward off ‘Thirushti’ (the evil eye).
Image Source: http://is.gd/aSETut
About Us
This blog was created to share our Ceylonese/Tamil/Hindu traditions and culture.
It will hopefully contain information that will be of use to all of us who have many unanswered questions on the subject… and also for when : “It’s just always been done this way” , “Because that’s what my mother/grandmother said” & “I don’t know, just do it.” just isn’t good enough.
Please feel free to share any content you feel is relevant.
Related Websites:
WIKIPEDIA : Sri Lankan Tamils
CEYLON TAMILS
This website attempts to collate the genealogies, legends and known histories of Tamils whose ancestors originated in Sri Lanka and give them a sense of their history.
ceylonese-tamil-hindu : traditions + culture 