Nandi Ceremony In Kannada Lingayat Weddings

Seeking the Blessings Of The Lord For Successful Completion Of Marriage 
The ceremonies of a Lingayat marriage are the same as the other Hindu marriage ceremonies, and one of the pre-wedding rituals common in Kannada weddings is the Nandi ritual. The Nandi ceremony is done so that the marriage does not face any obstacles and goes on smoothly without any hassles. This is a pre-wedding ritual performed by the family priest, who blesses the couple with health, wealth and long happy life. This ritual is conducted in both the bride and the groom's house separately where they invite close relatives to bless the boy and the girl. On the day of the Nandi ritual, the first wedding card is placed before the Lord to seek blessings. 

Significance of Kalasha and Nandi Ceremony In Kannada Lingayat Weddings
A Kalasha (a traditional copper/mud/brass pot) is filled with holy water. Leaves of the mango tree are placed at the mouth of the Kalasha such that the joining place of the leaves is inserted inside the mouth of the pot and the leaves are protruding outside like the petals of a flower. A coconut is placed over the mouth of the kalasha with the spherical portion facing down and the tail facing upward. A white or red thread is tied around the coconut or the neck of the pot.  This signals the start of the marriage celebrations. The Kalasha symbolizes a pot of Amrit which is the Nectar of Life and the couple is blessed. This ritual is performed to seek a blessed life full of health, wealth and longevity. 

The wedding cards are presented to the Lord with the belief that it helps to invite his presence for the wedding to help remove all hurdles during the wedding and also in their marital life beyond the wedding celebrations. 

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Kannada Lingayat Wedding Rituals The Naandi ceremony