Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Gettimelamum Golusum

The wedding was held at the mandapam attached to the pillaiyar kovil. Those were simpler days when there was no concept of nischayadaartham or mapillai azhaippu. It was just the muhurtham. The grooms side of the family were hosted at relatives house the previous night and were directly accompanied to the temple. The muhurtham was from 7:30am to 9:00am.

Seetha's brother (cousin) greeted the groom with a garland and was led to the mandapam area where he was welcomed with chandanam, kunkumam and panneer (rose water) offered by the bride's aunts. The vadhyar had started the manthrams already and was instructing Arun to complete his Gayathri and surya namaskaram. Then the mapillai sets out on the kasi yaathrai where he is suppposed to take up brahmacharyam (Saint hood). According to the Shastras though, one has to experience samsara before taking up sanyasam at later part in life. So the bride's father and mother offer their daughters hand in marriage and invite the groom back.

At this point the bride is summoned by the priest who yells, "Ponna kooteendu vaango." Seetha walked in wearing a yellow pattu pudavai and walked up to stand facing Arun. Seetha looked gorgeous and Arun's heart skipped a beat. Although he was hoping for a glance from her, Seetha did not dare to look up until someone handed a garland in her hand. Shanthi akka whisper, "Maapillai kazhuthula maalaiya podi dee. Avar ethana neram ippidi guninjundu nippar." Seetha quickly put the garland around his neck and looked away. They exchanged garlands six times back and forth while a mami in the crowd started to sing, "Maalai maathinaal kodhai maalai maathinaal."

The bride and groom were then made to sit next to each other on the swing, while the elders started to do the dhrishti and blessing them. Then they were fed 3 spoons of milk and banana mixed together. There was a whole line of mami's but Seetha was thankful that Jayanthi handed her a piece of cloth to wipe her sticky hands. Then it was time to go back to the homagundam. After a few more chantings there, the koora podavai was handed to Seetha and was asked to quickly change. Seetha was happy to leave the spot as the homam was burning her eyes. She was escorted into the room where Shanthi akka and Meena Akka quickly helped tie the madisaar in a jiffy only to bring her back to sit next to Arun once again.

Although Arun wanted to look up at his, soon to be wife, his eyes were blurred with tears from the homam burning his eyes. It was time for the main event. Seetha was instructed to sit on her father's lap which the yellow thread made the rounds to get the blessings of everyone there. People around were also offered the akshadai and petals to hold on to. The thambalam with the thaali was brought back and the priest handed it to Arun. The excitement was at it peak and the priest yet, "Muhurtham kazhiyarthukulla ponnu kazhuthula thaaali ya kattungo" then he looked at around yelling, "gettimelam gettimelam".

With the sound of the instruments, cheering people and showers of blessings in the form of Akshadai and rose petals, Arun tied the first knot while Seetha held on to the thirumangalyam with trembling hands. The second and the third knots were tied by Arun's cousin sister. With that they were now husband and wife. Seetha was emotional and tears were trickling down her cheek. Meena akka noticed it and quickly wiped it off for her. Everyone was getting emotional and there were lots of happy tears.

The wedding was not over yet. They had to take the blessings of the 5 elements and had to make promises to each other. Seetha was confused and was still trying to understand it all but Arun diligently made promises to the universe that Seetha was his wife now who he will love, cherish and respect. He will protect her under all circumstances. He will make sure not to ever hurt her intentionally. She will be his priority from now on.

Next it was time to get the blessings of all the elders, as a couple which they did. During the entire wedding Seetha had not glanced at Arun even once. He had been longing for it but then she finally did. She looked up at him and whispered, "Pillaiyar a poi namaskaram panittu varalaama?" He could still see her eyes being wet and her emotions were evident. He nodded and quickly held her hand to walk towards the sannidhi.