What is janavasam
There are various celebration and rituals performed during the wedding which is pre-wedding and post-wedding ceremony. Janavasam is one such function performed during Hindu wedding celebrations, whereas in North India it is called “ Baraat”.
“Janavasam” is also referred to as “Mappillai Azhaippu”.
Janavasam is the celebration performed particularly in the Tambram wedding or Tamil Brahmin Wedding.
Details of Janavasam:
In Janavasam the groom is led to the marriage hall in an open car decorated with flowers. Janavasam the bride is not included.
Janavasam is a Hindu wedding tradition where the procession of the groom with the entire family with a team of nadhaswaram and thavil for heading to the temple near the wedding hall to seek the blessings. The groom goes in procession to seek the bride in the hand of marriage and also to show the public who the groom is.
As the wedding rituals and celebration varies based on the family and region, Janavasam takes place the night before the wedding day or on the day of the wedding.
Welcoming Groom in Janavasam:
At the entrance of the Kalyana Mandapam groom and their family are welcomed by the bride’s family and gifts are exchanged particularly.
The bride’s family gifts a new dress to the groom as well as flowers and thamboolam (Plate filled with coconut, fruits, and beetle leaf). In the Bharmin wedding two-cone structure called ‘Paruppu thengai Kutti’ or ‘Paruppu thengai koodu’ which is made with pulses, coconut and jaggery traditionally on the plate to welcome the groom and family members.
- Arathi is taken to the groom and coconut is broken to ward off the negative vibration and evil eyes.
- Once the groom and the family get settled, evening tiffin or dinner is served.
Modern twist to Janavasam:
On an early day, janavasam will be an occasion where the groom and bride see each other for the first time, so that the groom was processed to the wedding hall in an open car. In modern days due to traffic and security reasons traveling in the open car is rare but the old tradition of visiting the temple remains the same.
To add fun and enjoyment to the celebration horse ride or chariot procession is arranged for the entrance or parking slot of the wedding hall till the mandapam.