Indian wedding glossary · The functions
What is Mangala snanam?
Also written: Auspicious bath
Mangala snanam is the auspicious bath given to the bride and groom on the wedding morning in many Tamil and Telugu families, after their bodies are anointed with oil and turmeric.
- Who keeps it
- Many Tamil and Telugu Hindu families.
- When
- Early on the wedding morning, before the kashi yatra and the muhurtham.
About Mangala snanam
What should you know about Mangala snanam?
Elders apply oil and turmeric, and the bride or groom is bathed with water that may be mixed with turmeric or flowers. They then dress in their first set of wedding clothes.
It is a family ritual that prepares them for the vows and is usually followed by the first rites of the wedding.
In the order of functions
Where does Mangala snanam come in an Indian wedding?
Early on the wedding morning, before the kashi yatra and the muhurtham.
- Before the weddingFixing the match, the engagement, the date and the card.
- The functionsPujas, haldi, mehndi, sangeet and the family days before the wedding.
- Wedding day ritualsFrom the baraat to the pheras, nikah and anand karaj.
- After the weddingVidaai, the new home, the reception and the first visits.
Planning your own days? The free wedding function order planner puts your functions in a sensible order with dates.
On the card
What do families write on the invitation for Mangala snanam?
Usually shared only with close family in the day's plan: Mangala snanam, 5:30 am.
Related words
Words that go with Mangala snanam
- Pellikuthuru
Pellikuthuru is the Telugu ceremony where the bride is anointed with turmeric and oil, bathed and dressed for the first time as a bride (pelli kuthuru).
- Kashi yatra
Kashi yatra is a playful ritual in many Tamil and Telugu weddings where the groom pretends to leave for Kashi to become an ascetic, and the bride's father persuades him to stay and marry his daughter.
- Sumangali prarthanai
Sumangali prarthanai is a prayer held in many Tamil Brahmin families before a wedding, where married women (sumangalis) are honoured, fed and asked to bless the bride.
- Oonjal
Oonjal is the Tamil ritual where the bride and groom sit together on a decorated swing while married women sing songs, offer them milk and banana, and in many families circle coloured rice balls around them to ward off evil.
- Thali
In South Indian weddings the thali, or mangalyam, is the sacred pendant on a yellow thread or gold chain that the groom ties around the bride's neck at the muhurtham.
Questions
Mangala snanam, answered
What is Mangala snanam?
Mangala snanam is the auspicious bath given to the bride and groom on the wedding morning in many Tamil and Telugu families, after their bodies are anointed with oil and turmeric.
Which families celebrate Mangala snanam?
Many Tamil and Telugu Hindu families.
When does Mangala snanam happen in the order of wedding functions?
Early on the wedding morning, before the kashi yatra and the muhurtham.
What do families write on the invitation for Mangala snanam?
Usually shared only with close family in the day's plan: Mangala snanam, 5:30 am.
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