Indian wedding glossary · The functions
What is Sumangali prarthanai?
Also written: Sumangali prarthana
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.
- Who keeps it
- Many Tamil Brahmin families.
- When
- A few days before the wedding.
About Sumangali prarthanai
What should you know about Sumangali prarthanai?
The family invites married women of the family, often in an odd number, gives them sarees or blouse pieces, flowers and a meal, and the bride seeks their blessings. Many families also remember women of the family who have passed away.
It is a quiet family ritual, usually held at home. The details differ between families, so the bride's mother or grandmother usually leads it the way her own family did it.
In the order of functions
Where does Sumangali prarthanai come in an Indian wedding?
A few days before the wedding.
- 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 Sumangali prarthanai?
Rarely on the card; families invite relatives by phone: Sumangali prarthanai at home, Wednesday, 11 February, 11 am.
Related words
Words that go with Sumangali prarthanai
- Nichayathartham
Nichayathartham is the Tamil engagement ceremony, where the two families formally agree to the wedding and the date is read out in front of relatives.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Sumangali prarthanai, answered
What is 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.
Which families celebrate Sumangali prarthanai?
Many Tamil Brahmin families.
When does Sumangali prarthanai happen in the order of wedding functions?
A few days before the wedding.
What do families write on the invitation for Sumangali prarthanai?
Rarely on the card; families invite relatives by phone: Sumangali prarthanai at home, Wednesday, 11 February, 11 am.
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