An Engagement To Remember
Tonight I was initiated into the ancient tradition of a Hindu engagement ceremony.
Tai Mai got engaged tonight and I was there to take notes so I can blog about it (am addicted to blogging or what hahahaha).
The ceremony took place at a temple on the mainland. First thing I found out - Ponnu (pronounced Poh-Ner) means Bride. The bride must be at the temple early and hidden out of sight.
Part 1
The groom arrives with his entourage bearing all kinds of sweets, cakes and assorted kuehs. The entire entourage will circle their main altar (for want of a better word) before placing them in front of the dais.
The priest then blesses the gifts from the groom to the bride which consists of a saree, garland, bouquet, and a small mirror. These will be presented to the bride who will change into them.
Part 2
This, I believe is something of an acknowledgement of sorts from both families to the acceptance of the couple’s wish to get engaged. Two elder representatives from both families, a man and a woman, will sit on each side of the priest who will preside and over the whole thing.
The whole ritual starts with prayers. Then the priest passes holy smoke on the representatives and sprinkle holy water on them. The representatives will then rub rice on their hands. As a sign of their families now being joined together through the marriage of the happy couple they will then annoint each other’s cheeks, forehead and arms with yellow paste which I believe is made from yellow tumeric powder.
Somewhere during the whole proceedings, while I was busy taking notes on my cell phone, the priest said blessings on 2 pieces of cloths. The cloths are then tied around the heads of the male representatives of both families - red for the groom and white for the bride.
Part 3
After the bride has changed into the saree gifted by her husband to be, she will make her grand entrance and exchange garlands with him.
When both the bride and groom have taken their places in front of the prayer area, the same ritual of passing the holy smoke and sprinking of holy water continues.
Before exchanging the engagement rings both have to rub rice on their hands. By this point I gathered that it’s some sort of a cleansing ritual?
There is a ritual before the rings can be placed on their fingers. First they have to dab holy water and the ceremonial "tilak" or red tumeric powder on the ring finger. The priest followed by the respective family members will then bless the rings before they can be placed on the finger.
Once all that is out the way, the bride and groom may now take their places on the dais.
Here’s the happy couple with the ceremony now finally finished. Congratulations to Tai Mai and hubby. Say, I know that the picture here looks a bit blur, but do you think Mr Tai Mai looks something like a certain motivation guru whom we went to Singapore to watch?
Of course, being the avid belly dancer, I couldn’t help also snapping a shot of this tabla player.
After the ceremony has finished everybody headed outside for dinner. It was just a simple vegetarian fair and yours truly being the carnivor only had tomato rice with lots of kurma gravy, potatoes and baby corn.
Was initiated to another different ritual during dinner - the art of eating with your hands. This is the first time I’ve done something like that and needless to say, it was a mess. I stopped eating while the video guy had his camera focused on us. This is something no civilized human being wants to see.
I look forward to their wedding in August. I think it will be an even grander affair.
