Tanjavur and Migration of Brahmins to South India Since numerous temples were built in Tanjavur, many Brahmins were invited to migrate and settle down in Tanjavur especially in and around Kumbakonam. In Tamil Nadu normally, we see two sects of Brahmins called Ayyars and Ayyangars. Ayyars are Shaivites and Ayyangars are the worshippers of Vishnu. […]
Continue reading…
Posts tagged with 'iyengar matrimony'
Kaliyur Iyengars – Part I
In the year 1840, a group of scholarly, Tengalai Iyengar Brahmins migrated from Mannargudi in Tanjavur and came to settle down in the village of Kaliyur near Cheyyar in North Arcot District. It is said that a plague like epidemic made people leave Mannargudi. Another reason attributed for this migration is the invasion of the […]
Continue reading…
Iyengar Marriage Rituals – Part Three
There are many interesting rituals, which take place during the Iyengar weddings. I have mentioned some of them here: Metti Metti is the silver toe ring worn traditionally by married women. It is one more outer symbol to signify that the woman is married apart from the ‘Thali’ the thread of marriage. During the ritual […]
Continue reading…
Iyengar Marriage Rituals – Part Two
Jaanavasam On the previous day of a marriage or on the same day the Jaanavasam or the bridegroom’s reception takes place. The bridegroom is taken around the streets of the town in an open luxury car in a procession. In the olden days he was taken around in a chariot. The procession is preceded by […]
Continue reading…
Iyengar Marriage – Part 1
The marriage rituals of the South Indian Brahmins are very interesting. Basically all the Brahmins in India perform Vedic Marriage Rites, which are similar throughout India. However, there are regional and local flavours. Kashmiri Pandit marriages are very elaborate and used to last a month with a lot of singing and rejoicing. Shorter versions of […]
Continue reading…