Vokkaliga Wedding

The Land and the People

Vokkaliga weddings are held by the Vokkaliga community of Karnataka. The community lives mainly in the old Mysore region, in places like Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Tumakuru and Bengaluru. This region is known for its fertile fields, sugarcane farms and old temples. The Vokkaligas have a long history as farmers and landowners.

Many Vokkaliga families also live in other cities and countries. The community is known for farming and strong family values. The weddings are simple, holy and full of family joy. The family gathers to bless the couple, and the elders play a big part.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Vokkaliga wedding usually takes two to three days. In the past, it could take up to five days. Today, most families hold the main ceremonies in a day or two, but they keep all the important rituals. The wedding is held in a hall or at home.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with a formal talk between the families, and an engagement function is held. The families meet, exchange gifts and sweets, and the elders bless the couple. A priest picks a lucky date after checking the horoscopes.

In Devara Pooje, the families pray to their family god before the wedding. The family god is the god that the family has worshipped for many generations. The family lights a lamp and makes offerings of flowers and fruits. The priest chants prayers, and the elders bless the wedding. It is a way of asking the god to guide the family.

Ganga Pooje is a puja for holy water, and the bride and groom take a holy bath after turmeric is applied. The women of the family bring water in pots, and they sing songs. The water is treated as holy, and it is used for the bath. The turmeric is applied by the married women of the family. The bath is a sign of purity.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the couple sits together on a decorated stage. The stage is decorated with flowers, banana plants and lamps. The priest lights a lamp and begins the prayers. The family sits around, and the guests come to see the couple.

The groom ties the Mangalsutra at the lucky time. The sound of the nadaswaram and the drums rises. The guests throw rice and flowers on the couple. The Mangalsutra is a sacred necklace of black beads and gold, and it is the sign of marriage.

The couple takes seven steps around the holy fire. Each step is a promise to love and care for each other. The priest chants mantras, and the family watches. The couple takes the blessings of the elders. Elders bless them with rice and flowers. They give them gifts, and they wish them a long and happy life.

Clothes and Jewelry

The bride wears a Mysore silk sari with gold jewelry. The Mysore silk sari is soft and rich, and it has a gold border. She also wears jasmine flowers, a necklace, earrings and bangles. The groom wears a Panche, which is a dhoti, and a shawl. The Panche is white or cream, with a golden border. The dress is simple and neat.

Food, Music and Fun

The feast is served on banana leaves. Guests sit in rows, and the servers bring the dishes one by one. Popular dishes include Bisi Bele Bath, Ragi Mudde and sweets like Holige. Bisi Bele Bath is a spicy rice and lentil dish. Ragi Mudde is a ball made of finger millet flour. It is served with a spicy curry. Holige is a sweet flatbread. The meal is hearty and healthy. A Vokkaliga wedding is simple and holy, and it is full of the warmth of farming families and old traditions.