Kodava Wedding Series || Episode -1 || Nithin Poovanna and Tanya || Wedding Highlights

This is a series of Videos / Highlights of the Wedding (Mangala) showing the culture, traditions , the various practices, the beliefs which make a Kodava wedding (Mangala) unique. Unlike most Indian weddings which comprise of long rituals and customs conducted by a priest, Coorg weddings (Mangala) are very simple and fun. Its known for its long standing traditions and rituals which have been passed down from generation to generation. It is celebration filled with food and Music (Valaga). One of the things most of the people find surprising is the absence of a Priest / Brahman who facilitates the proceedings in most hindu wedding. Kodavas believe in offering prayers to their ancestors and seek blessings near a sacred lamp, Later then they seeks blessing of their relatives, friends and Guests.
The traditional Kodava wedding is a two-day event. The first day of the wedding is called ooru kuuduvo, This is the day when all the preparations are made for the wedding day and also when the locals(ooru karas) and their relatives get together exchange talks, Gossips, show off their dress and also look for potential match making. During this day you can see the groom wearing a white long-sleeved kupya( a white knee-lengthen cloth which is wraped around) with a red and gold silk chele which is warped around his waist securing the kupiya. He is seen wearing a red silk scarf with white checks(Check Vastra) tied on his head. The bride is seen with a coloured saree of her choice worn in a Coorg style as seen in the video above.
On the second day the groom is helped by his bojakaara(Brother-in-law) to be dressed. The groom wears a white long-sleeved kupya, a red chele around his waist and a white and gold turban. A peeche kathi (Coorg dagger) is tucked into the front of the chele and an odi kathi (war knife) is attached at the back. He wears the pavala maale that his mother placed around his neck on the wedding evening, katti bale (thick gold bangles) and a garland(Jasmine).
The bride is seen in a Bott podiya (red silk sari with gold dots and gold border),a red long-sleeved blouse and a red musk (Veil) that covers her head and face. She is seen with all the traditional Coorg gold jewelry for her hair, neck, ears, nose, wrists, fingers and the silver jewelry for her feet and a garland(Jasmine).
This day comes to an end with a ceremony called Neer edpa/Ganga Puje this symbolizes the acceptance of the bride who is now a part of the groom’s family and she helps the family in the household chores. She is later then seen with two of small pots filled with water on her head and accompanied by two small girls from the groom's side. They start the walk back to the wedding hall where they are blocked by the groom's family (Grooms Brother) restricting the movements of the bride while they dance for the music(Valaga). Once they manage to reach the Wedding hall by moving further, this brings an end to the two day wedding,

This is a highlight of the wedding between Nithin and Tanya shown in the video which took place on 10th February 2020.

We wish the bride and groom joy, love and happiness in their life as they begin a new life together.
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