Why Kamma Matrimony Is One Of The Most Unique Weddings In India?
The Kamma society is one of the oldest societies in the Indian civilization and even in the world. There are a number of legends to how this society or community got its name. One very popular among them is when sages were troubled by rakshas and demons, they were asked to go to Goddess Laxmi for protection by Lord Vishnu himself. The goddess gave them a casket with her most precious ornament, her earring, which is called kamma in Tamil. The sages worshipped the casket for more than a century after which a group of more than 500 warriors appeared and killed the demon to free the sages from his notoriety. This is how the community got its name, on the name of the ear ornament of Goddess Laxmi, which is called Kamma in Tamil. This is not just one of the oldest societies in India but also a very unique and different one owing to its various rituals and traditions. And some really beautiful customs of a kamma community are seen in a Kamma matrimony. People come together during the wedding of this society and perform many rituals that stand out from others. While the majority of its rituals are very similar to the rituals followed in other Hindu weddings, the rituals and traditions discussed below are what make a Kamma matrimony different from all others. Let’s have a look.
Nalagu
This is actually the haldi ceremony in a Telugu Kamma matrimony. What makes this tradition unique is the fact that the groom has to wear a white dhoti for this ritual while the bride has to don a white saree that has a red border. And before putting haldi on the couple, the family members and elders in the family put oil on the bodies of the to-be couple.
Vira Guddi Mokaddam
This is another very special custom followed in the Kamma community for a wedding of their people. This ritual involves the groom who has to visit a temple that is their family’s temple and goes there with some elders of the family. Along the temple or en route, the groom is asked to visit a tent that is specially made for his visit only. In the tent, the groom can find four or five bricks. These bricks are a symbolization of the viralus. The groom has to worship them. The groom then offers a coconut to the gods and goddesses which is covered with turmeric and Kumkum. This coconut is then broken in front of the gods.
Pellikuthuru
This function or ritual involves both the Kamma bride and Kamma groom. Along with the couple, the entire family, guests, relatives, and friends of the two can participate in the rituals. In this custom, both are sat down together and then smeared with a paste of haldi. Once this is done, the couple is then asked to take a bath. Once this ritual is done, they have to wear new clothes. After getting dressed, they are asked to get together and enjoy the festivities that the family members get together for.
Kashi Yatra
This is one of the most fun rituals that take place at a Kamma wedding. In this function, the groom has to run away from the wedding and this is literal running away. On the occasion of the wedding, the groom tells the bride’s father that he does not want to marry and become a priest while walking out of the mandapa. The bride’s father tries to convince the groom to agree for the marriage. This ritual is very important for the wedding of the Kamma couple and both the bride and groom enjoy this ritual.
Snathakam
While the majority of the rituals are either conducted at the bride’s place or at the wedding venue, the Snathakam ritual is one that takes place at the place of the groom. This ritual sees the groom getting a silver thread, also called a ‘janev’ from the priests. This janev is an indication or symbolic of the groom’s taking up new responsibilities in his life as a married man. It also indicates that the groom is ready to take the leap from being a bachelor to becoming a married houseman. In a Kamma wedding, this ritual plays a really important role.
While these rituals are still very traditional, the way Kamma weddings are performed now have seen a stark change. With the adoption of modern ways of weddings, Kamma matrimonial events have also started seeing new rituals and customs being added to them. Earlier, brides and grooms had to dress up in traditional attire for all the functions of the wedding but today, many modern boys and girls choose modern and more stylish outfits for their weddings now.
Similarly, the way people did matchmaking in those days has also changed from the one done now. While earlier people had to talk to the members in their community to find the right partner for themselves or their family members, today, they turn to online matrimony sites to find the perfect matrimony profile.
Many Kamma matrimony sites have also spurred out that have facilitated the people in the Kamma community to find their ideal life partner. They can easily browse through them and find the Kamma profiles from different parts of the world as well. Many online matrimonial sites have now come up on the internet that facilitates the people to easily match with their desired life partner.
