Kerala, also known as God’s own country is rich in diverse traditions and cultures. You can find many Hindu families, Christian families, and Muslim families that make it one of the three major communities in Kerala. In them, the Kerala Christian wedding is quite popular across India for its simplicity.

Kerala Christian people consider marriage as a union of two people preordained by God. These people have immense faith in God. Usually, the marriage of Kerala Christian bride and groom is arranged by the parents. Once both the families are mutually convinced and satisfied with the family status and background, a wedding date is fixed by the parents.

There are many Kerala Christian matrimony sites through which people can build a good matrimonial profile and find their life partner. The weddings conducted in the Kerala Christian community are church weddings where the bride wears a stunning golden border white saree that is combined with striking jewelry pieces. Kerala marriage rituals are a bit different from North Indian Christians.

Following are the major pre-wedding and wedding ceremonies of Kerala Christian weddings.

Pre-wedding rituals of Kerala Christian marriage

Aachaarakalyanam

The Aacharaarakalyanam is a traditional ceremony that has been practiced over generations that initiates wedding customs. Similar to other wedding rituals of other Indian communities, Aachaaarakalyanam is an event where the elders/family members of the bride visit the groom’s family to fix the wedding rate.

Manasammatham or Betrothal

Once the date is fixed, this is a second event that happens at every Kerala Christian marriage. In this ritual, both the families of the bride and the groom get together at a church. Here, the priest carries out a confirmation if the wedding is acceptable by both the bride and groom’s families in the presence of two witnesses. As per the tradition, the exchange of rings was not part of this ceremony but it has gradually become a significant ritual in engagement. The Betrothal ends with a grand feast.

Wedding day

Sthuthi cholluka and Guru Dakshina

Sthuthi Cholluka and Guru Dakshina are two ceremonies that transpire on the day of the wedding. Sthuthi Cholluka is a tradition where a series of prayers are said which is considered auspicious. Guru Dakshina, as in the name, is a tradition where the bride takes blessings from the elders. The groom too takes blessings from his elder family members. Both the ceremonies take place at the bride and groom’s respective homes.

Minnukettu

One of the most vital rituals in the Kerala Christian Wedding, the groom ties a thali on the bride’s neck. The thali is known as Minnu. It is hung on a string that is made from the seven threads that are taken from the Mantrakodi. He places this saree over the bride’s head while the priest blesses the Mantrakodi before putting it around the neck of the bride.

At the end of this wedding ceremony, the couple signs their names in the register along with two witnesses. Thus the marriage is officially registered. The bride leaves to wear the Manthrakodi.

As the wedding focuses on worship and not on the celebration, music like Sangeet is not part of the wedding ceremony. Nevertheless, delicate hymns, church choir, and religious songs make the whole Kerala Christian marriage a memorable experience to relish. After the Minnukettu ceremony, everyone then proceeds to the grand feast.

A wedding reception is helped for the newlywed couple with friends and family celebrating the bride and groom as a couple sharing the good fortune and blessings.

Kerala Christian Bride Attire

In India, there are so many types of wedding attires brides wear. But a Kerala Christian bride wears the most distinctive combination of a saree and a veil. The attire is white, off-white, or cream shade silk saree with a golden border. Accessories include a watch, golden bangles on her wrist, and a light bridal necklace with a pair of shiny earrings that finish the look. Some brides also wear a tiara. What makes the Kerala Christian bride stand apart is her beautiful net veil. As she walks down the aisle, she looks gorgeous with a bunch of flowers in her hands and a smile on her face.

Kerala Christian Groom Attire

While some say that men don’t have enough options to choose their wedding outfits, there are always rooms to explore and experiment. The conventional attire of a Kerala Christian groom is a three-piece suit that the groom wears on his wedding day. These days many men prefer donning a tuxedo. Some grooms play safe with colors like black and navy blue, some men explore their looks by going for offbeat shades such as electric blue, beige, or even classic brown. The groom can also wear a bow-tie instead of a tie and a pocket square to look dashing and handsome as ever.

What to wear if you are a wedding guest

If you are invited to a Kerala Christian wedding, bear in mind that this is a simple affair and doesn’t require much bling. Wear clothes that are simple yet stylish. Women can wear a flowy chiffon saree or an evening gown while men can opt for a simple shirt-pant combination or suit.

 

*ഇതിൽ പറയുന്ന കാര്യങ്ങളെല്ലാം ക്രിസ്ത്യൻസിലെ എല്ലാ വിഭാഗങ്ങളിലും ഉണ്ടാകണമെന്നില്ല. ക്രിസ്ത്യൻസിലെ എല്ലാ വിഭാഗങ്ങളെയും ചേർത്തുള്ള ഒരു അവലോകനമാണിത്.