Kongu Wedding Rituals and Ceremonies
Kongu Wedding
The Kongu community, primarily known as the Kongu Vellalars or Gounders, hails from Western Tamil Nadu. A Kongu wedding is not just a union of two individuals; it’s a deeply rooted cultural celebration involving the entire community.
Ceremonies Before the Wedding:
1. PORUTHAM PARTHAL: The journey begins with a compatibility check, where the bride and groom’s horoscopes, educational backgrounds, and family status are analyzed to ensure a harmonious union.
2. SAGUNAM PARTHAL: After confirming the match, the families seek auspicious signs, believing in divine blessings to guide the wedding preparations.
3. NICHAYADHAARTHAM: The families come together to fix an auspicious wedding date. The groom’s family visits the bride’s home, and traditional gifts are exchanged, marking the formal engagement.
Kongu Wedding Ceremonies:
DAY 1: NAAL VIRUDHU
The wedding celebrations commence with a grand feast where close relatives from both families share a meal, symbolizing unity and togetherness.
DAY 2: MUHURTHA KAAL
The second day is dedicated to preparations, where family members, along with local artisans, set up the wedding pandal and prepare for the main ceremony, all accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional drums.
DAY 3: MUHURTHAM
On the wedding day, the bride and groom, dressed in traditional attire, are brought to the pandal. The groom ties the Mangala Naan (Thali) around the bride’s neck, and they exchange garlands, marking their sacred union. The ceremony concludes with blessings from elder women and a grand feast that leaves a lasting impression on all.
Patni Seer – A Joyful Kongu Pre-Wedding Ritual
A Kongu wedding is deeply rooted in tradition and filled with heartfelt emotions. For us, as wedding photographers, capturing a Kongu wedding is a true delight and a must-have on our wish list.
Among the numerous rituals that make a Kongu wedding special, one that stands out for its vibrancy and fun is the Patni Seer. This pre-wedding ritual is akin to a colorful celebration, much like Holi. In this tradition, the bride or groom is symbolically bathed in multiple rounds of water mixed with turmeric, herbs, dried flowers, and even fruit peels.
What makes Patni Seer truly special is the participation of everyone present. Elders perform the ritual with reverence, offering their blessings, while children enjoy it as if it were a playful festival. However, it’s the peers—siblings and friends of the bride or groom—who bring an extra dose of fun to the ritual. For them, it’s a chance for some harmless, light-hearted revenge on the guest of honor, often by adding unique ingredients to the water, making the ritual a cheerful spectacle filled with laughter and joy.
As photographers, we cherish the opportunity to capture these lively moments, freezing them in time for endless smiles. The cheer, laughter, and vibrant energy of a Kongu wedding, especially during the Patni Seer, make it a celebration we never tire of documenting.
Planning a Kongu wedding? Let us at Sureshkanna Photography capture these timeless memories for you, ensuring an endless supply of heartwarming images that you’ll treasure forever.
We believe every picture tells a story. With a passion for photography and a commitment to excellence, we capture timeless memories that you can cherish forever. From weddings to corporate events, portraits to product photography, we bring creativity and precision to every shot.