Daivajnya Brahmin Marriages

Jul 16, 2010

Daivajnya Brahmins (sonars or goldsmiths), from the Sanskrit suvarnakar worker in gold .They are found all over the Deccan ,Konkan ,Karnataka and Kanara .It is a small community of not more than 10 lakh souls, spread all over the nation ,though sparsely. They are popularly  known as “SHETS” .

It is a ‘jaati’ within a much larger Konkani speaking Daivajnya community ,running into lakhs and lakhs ,still they proudly claim a galaxy of note worthy individuals who have contributed richly to the betterment of the global community.

According to the modern researchers, they claim that Brahmins aroused from the sacred region between the river Saraswati and Drishdavati which came to be known as ‘BRAMHAVARTHA’ (2450 B.C to 1900 B.C), where the great thinkers of the time came to be classified as Brahmins. Thus among the Brahmin class the Daivajnya Brahmins uphold a unique culture and heritage which aims at enlightening the future.The daivajnya migration appears to have taken place some time at the end of 3rd century B.C from Punjab.

Daivajnya Brahmins follow the Ashwalayan griha sutras in their customs. They follow the typical cultural heritage in their rituals and festivals, just like the other Konkani communities in the coastal Karnataka.

CUSTOMS:

When a birth takes place in a house, the whole family is considered unclean till the eleventh day; the priest gives them the five produces of cow, i.e. Panchagavya, to clean. During the first three days the child is nursed by giving it the end of a rag to suck, the other end of which rests in a saucer of rice broth and molasses. The mother is given salt less rice porridge and molasses for the first three days. On 11th day the cradle ceremony and naming the baby take place.

It is practice when the boy attains about 7 years the Thread ceremony i.e. Brahmopadesha, take place. The boy prostrates before his Father and touching his fathers feet with his hand beg, to be taught the Duties of a Brahman .The father taking the boy on his lap and covering himself and the boy with a white sheet, whispers in to his ear the Gayathri Mantra the sacred prayer to the Sun. (We come across Gayathri Mantra In 3rd marda as the 10th mantra in the 62nd sukta in Rigveda.) After this the family priest girds the boys left shoulder and fastens another thread to the end of a staff of palas wood and hands it to the father of the boy who passes it to his son telling him that he is now a Brahman.

MARRIAGE:

The girl’s parents propose the match and take boy’s horoscope from boy’s parents to compare it with the girl’s, if the horoscope agrees then the parents settle the marriage. Then the boy’s parents go to the girl’s house and adorn her with flowers this ceremony is known as the betrohal or soiriki. They perform Devakarya to propitiate the family God, the pulse or udid ceremony to please Ganapathi, This ceremony takes place in both the houses.

On the fixed auspicious day of marriage ceremony the boy’s parents comes to girl’s house or place along with their relatives and friends, for the Marriage ceremony. First girl garlands boy and then boy garlands to the girl. Soon after this bride’s mother stand beside her husband to the right and pours libation water on the hands of the bride’s father as part of the oblation, Kanyadan to give away their daughter in marriage, Bridegroom ties the Mangalsutra to bride’s neck. In front of the sacred fire bridegroom’s brother offer rings to toes of the bride. Bridegroom holds hands of the bride and both walk seven paces before sacred fire this is called Sapthapathi, signifies that friend throughout the life may go be devoted to me. The grand marriage feast (community feeding), takes place. The bridegroom’s parents send their daughter to bride’s house.

Here are the following rituals of Daivajnya Brahmin marriage s which has been combined from interrogating our Pundit and relatives .This paper was presented by me at the national level seminar on marriages –customs and traditions organized by UGC & CHS ASSOCIATION in Mangalore in 2006.

Wedding Rituals

On the morning of the wedding, the Pandit will arrive at the brides house and conduct a small prayer for proceedings to go smoothly. Elder relatives of the brides parents are usually also invited to this early morning prayer session.

After brief prayers, the bride touches the feet of all elders present and the wedding party proceeds to the hall. The Bride has to wear a not too grand sari (Sari 1) which need not even be new. ( The idea apparently is to keep expenses in control )

Inviting Groom's Party

The Brother of Bride / Maternal Uncle (Mama) of the bride will go to groom's house and invite the groom's family to the hall.
He will take with him a box of sweets (previously used to be a box of homemade laddus), flowers for the women of the house and token cash (in envelopes) for any small children of the groom's family.

Edur Kansani ( Receiving the Groom's party )
                   

Once at the hall, bride's party prepares to receive the groom. This program involves only women.

The women will wait outside the hall with the paraphenelia as described. The Brides sister or Paternal cousin sister will hold a circular steel plate (thali/poleru in konkani) (Plate 1) it will have the following

1.Mirror supported by a Kalash ["tambio"(in konkani for a copper pot) with water and a coconut on it]

2.Gold chain set on the mirror

3.Flower garland on the mirror

4.Kumkum and Haldi in bowls

5.Raw Rice

Plate 2 with another sister will have flowers and a Rose Water dispenser (Gulab-dani, usually made of Silver), Plate 3 with yet another sister will have 4 coconuts on it.

Plate 4 with folded Paan with supari (Veedo).

When the groom's party arrives, the women of the family will precede the men to the entrance. The Groom's sisters will hold Plate 1 (just as in the brides side) and Plate 3. Plate 2 and Plate 4 can be shared.

The women will now walk towards each other and apply kumkum and haldi to each others foreheads and wear a flower from Plate 2. They will sprinkle rose water on each other.

Entering the Hall

Before entering the hall, a aarti of kumkum water is given to groom. This done, the father of the bride will give the Groom a coconut in his hand and put a small garland around his neck in greeting and lead him by the hand (lest he runaway) into the hall and seat him in a chair in the hall. Rest of the party will follow.

Phool Muddi ( The Flower and the Ring )

                       

Along with the groom sits an un-married boy who is called "Dhedo" (previously the dhedo would be a young kid, nowadays young eligible bachelors are seated instead as a way to get noticed).

Once the groom is captive in the chair, his feet are washed by the father of the bride. A Gold Ring is placed on his finger. A new sacred thread is put on him (over this clothing), he will already have one of his own under it. A Peta is placed on his head.

Aarti is done to him by the bride's mother (with cloth wicks not cotton) and rice is sprinkled on him.

He is fed 5 different types of sweets and a sip of sweetened milk. The Dhedo gets a gift of clothing.

Now, its the brides turn. Bride makes her first enterance to the gathering (still in Sari 1)and is seated in the chair. Along with her sits the "Dhedi" (female version of the dhedo) She is gifted a Sari and any other gifts (usually ornaments) from the groom's mother. Flowers (white managlore mogra) is pinned to her hair. Aarti is done to her by the groom's mother (with cloth wicks not cotton) and rice is sprinkled on her. She is fed 5 different types of sweets and a sip of sweetened milk. Like the Dhedo, the Dhedi gets a gift of clothing also.

Breakfast I

The first breakfast is served and the whole party tucks in. Bride changes clothes. Brides mother can also change. ( So can anyone else, there is no hard and fast rule)

Ghade Udhak ( Water clock )

Originally intended to help the gathering keep track of the time, now it is done only for symbolic purposes.
5 thambios (copper pots) are held, one each by five women namely bride, bride's mom, groom's mom and 2 others.

They are filled with water and Ganga Pooja is performed as instructed by Pandit.
These pots are then kept aside to be revisited later.

Udida Moorth (Grinding of Gram)

A mix of Green Gram, Black Gram (Udid in konkani), tumeric, oil is prepared and the bride (now in Sari 2) and her mother jointly grind it in a manual stone grinder. Not sure of the significance, if anyone has an idea, pls let me know. Further minor rituals are perfomed as instructed by pandit.

Once the bride is done grinding, her party proceeds to Breakfast II. Vacating the seats to allow the groom and his sister(s) to do the grinding too. The sisters also get to apply kajal to the groom.

Grinding can be done simultaneously also if there is equipment and space available.

Kaashi Yatra
           

 

Tired of all the rituals, the groom decides to renounce worldly life and meditate in Kaashi. He sets out with an umbrella, and a Potli ( cloth tied into a bag on a stick containing his worldly belongings ). He is stopped by the Father of the bride, who tells him of the virtues of married life. (Mostly he tells him, there is no escape now, you're doomed)

Once again captive, the groom is pacified with a gift either of money or a gift of clothing and an aarti and proceeds to Breakfast II. He can change his clothing also.

"Go Daan" (Gift the pandit a cow)

Traditionally at this point, the pandit performing the rituals is given a cow as a gift. Now a days ofcourse this is symbolic and cash and/or clothing is given instead.

Aarti is now done to the Groom's Sisters, Groom and the Dhedo and they make a pradakshina (walk in a circle around) the Homa Kund (central holy fire place).

The Water clocks/ Ghade Udhak is revisted by the 5 ladies to check if the water pots are hale and hearty.

Breakfast II

The second breakfast is served and all tuck in (again!)

Entering the Mantap

The bride now well fed and covered in mounds of silk, flowers (moggina ja-day - jasmine flower headress) and a ton of gold is led into the Mantap by her mother. Meanwhile, the Pandit does a pooja of the Mantap. She enters the mantap with her right foot first.

The Dhaare Mani ( black bead and gold chain with 2 large coral beads ) is Mangalsutra 1. It is given by the bride's family. The chain is taken around the hall to be blessed and inspected by the elders.

After remembering the family diety, it is put around the brides neck by her Mother. An aarti is done to her and rice is liberally sprinkled over her.

This done, the bride is dispatched away again, possibly to be decked with more gold.

Var Pooja
                       

The Bride's married sisters and their husbands are called into the mantap in sequence and given a gift of clothing, aarti and rice sprinkling.


Groom Bashing( tying the "bashing" on the turban )

                       
"Bashing" is an ornament made of thermocol and glitter held together by glue. It has lot of dangling beads and shiny papers stuck to it. Hideous though it is, it is tied to the Turban of the Groom. Traditionally it was tied over the Gandhi cap which was worn by the groom. It is a good idea to tie it out of sight behind the fan of the peta so that it is not seen.

Preparing the "Talee" ( Thali or Plate )          

1 Plate (Vothu Ghadi - means "at the time of pouring" ) is prepared and held by the mother of the bride.

It contains the following:

1. 2 simple non zari saris (meant for daily wear by the bride in her new house)
2. Paan Veedo
3. Flowers and Raw Rice
4. 1 Coconut, sari blouse piece, kunkum ( collectively called Vonti )

Plate 2 ( Lagna Talee - wedding plate ) is prepared and held by Groom's mother. It contains the following:

1. Post Wedding Sari ( a grand sari nowadays worn at the reception)
with Pallu visible (pallu has to be visible for aunties present to estimate the cost of the sari :D )
2. Mangalsutra 2 - Chunky Gold and coral bead chain.
3. Paan Veedo
4. Mogra Flowers and Raw rice
5. Silver Kunkum Box
6. A small box of Kajal
7. Ivory comb ( now replaced by a plastic imitation)
8. "Bashing" ( for the bride this time )

The Pandit now does a pooja of the Plates as above. The father of the bride brings the groom into the Mantap along with the Dhedo.

The Plates mentioned above are carefully placed under his chair.

Once he is seated, the parents of the bride will perform an aarti, arghya padya (feet washing) and then put a sacred thread for him. He is given a gift. The gift is usually a Sandook ( if not available, cash is used). A Silver Sandook set ( consists of a plate, a small glass, spoon, box to hold religious stamps, the stamps and a thambio (silver pot) these items are to be used for daily pooja )


Anthar Paat (Curtain)

                  

A cloth is now held by two pandits to obscure his view, because the bride will be brought into the hall now and he should not be able to see her.

Here comes the Bride

The maternal uncle of the bride will bring in the decorated bride leading her by the thumb and will walk her down the aisle from the front enterance of the hall. If there are two they can bring her together (she has only 2 thumbs) . If there are several uncles, a sort of relay is done. Traditional music is played by the musicians and the pandits will commence chanting the mantras.

She enters the mantap again with her right foot and her uncle will sprinkle rice on her head and leave her inside. Now as per instructions by the pandit the Garland exchange between bride and groom takes place.

                       
              
Dhaar Votuchain (Pouring the stream of milk) also called Kanya Daan ( Giving away the bride )

A silver pot with a gold pendant of laxmi with a coconut placed over it and milk is poured from it on the hands on the bride, groom and several others as per the instructions of the pandit.
The laxmi pendant signifies that they are giving away the girl only and not the goddess of wealth.

Tying the knot

 

 The Mangalsutra from Plate 2 is retrieved and tied around the brides neck. The "bashing" for the bride is now tied on her head. Plate 2 (Lagna Talee) is given to her. Aarti is done and Rice is sprinkled over her as a blessing.

Kankana (Tumeric pieces) are tied to the wrists of the bride and groom. The coals are fetched by the bride's mother to start the fire in the Homa ( sacred fire ). She is gifted by the grooms family for her efforts.

Lye Virkachain ( Pouring puffed rice )

                                 

While the fire is being started, the uncles and brothers of the bride will pour puffed rice through their hands until it falls onto a plate held below. The youngest among them will receive a gift called a Lye Shawl ( now a shirt piece )

The Maternal Uncle will place 2 pairs of toe rings to the bride's toes.

7 Pheras

The bride and groom take 7 circles around the fire as per instructions by the pandit.

Going Bananas!

Bride and Groom now feed each other with Bananas.

Var Dharche ( lifting )

The uncle and aunt will then attempt to physically lift the bride and groom. (a daunting task!)
Incase this is not feasible, Bride and groom are walked 4 steps forward and 4 steps back by the maternal uncle and aunt or just gently nudged. The 2 pairs are now given an aarti by the other elders present.

Sharage Ghalchain ( Putting the Pallu )

The mother of the bride will now place the pallu for the bride as a symbol of marriage and replace her half moon bindi with a full moon. The groom will tie a five rupee coin (symbolizing this savings) to the pallu of the bride.

Going Bananas again

Bananas are cut up into small pieces and the bride serves them to the groom's family and her own (symbolizing that she has cooked for them). She is given a gift of cash for her troubles.

Keeping the Name

Traditionally the bride would have a new first name after marriage. The name is still kept, but not used. The mother of the groom will whisper a name 5 times into the bride's ear.

Vonti borchain

 

                   
The mother of the bride will give her a blouse piece, coconut, kumkum and sprinkle rice for the first time as a married lady.

Baagil Dhorchain
                               
The sisters of the groom, unhappy that their brother will forget them once he is married; will stop him from leaving the mantap. They are pacified with a gift of cash from the Groom.


The wedding party proceeds for Lunch.

by Deepak Shet Mangalore
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Comment on this article

  • Shreecaterers, Bangalore

    Thu, Jan 06 2022

    Really very nice article. Your work is really Great. Very interesting and quality information.Thank you for sharing this post. It's very impressive. I am very happy to read your post.

  • mrs. suprabha , Mangalore / dubai

    Tue, Jul 20 2010

    hi Good article keep it up god bless u for ur bright future i belongs to shet & got married intercaste & leading a happy life with my husband Mr. Ajtih & daughter Ms. Anmol in dubai regards mrs. suprabha ajith

  • Clara Lewis, Kemmannu/Dubai

    Tue, Jul 20 2010

    Very nice, very informative about Brahmin Marriages, The Laxmi pendant signifies that they are giving away the girl only and not the goddess of wealth is very meaningful, the dowry seekers should learn a lesson from this. I have one question to Deepak, are these traditional weddings are still existed in modern days. In coastel region these types of weddings are no more can see now because of the grand receptions takes place in the Halls.

    In coastel region, olden days a Tambio(water container), tray of betel leaves and supari(poler of veedo) and a mat was always ready in every houses to welcome guests. Now this tradition is no more can see.

  • Mahesh Sanil, Hejamady/Abu Dhabi

    Mon, Jul 19 2010

    As per my knowledge Abraham coutinho's short brief on Customs nearly maping to our konkani community i.e Shenoy/Pai/Gadiyar...etc.. but in Deepak Shet's article belong that particular community where he belong to(Daivajnya Brahmins)
    Please correct me am wrong readers we are going somewhere wrong...need to know many more on this very interesting.

  • jayashri, udupi

    Mon, Jul 19 2010

    Nice article by deepak shet mangalore. we are proud of deepak shet a daivajna bramin boy

    thank you
    jayashree

  • amrit, BLR/JED

    Mon, Jul 19 2010

    Awesome article... a great insight into the Shet community and its rites and rituals. Kudos to your effort and the detailed outlay. Good going!

  • RAGHUVEER, DUBAI/MADANTHYAR

    Sat, Jul 17 2010

    mr abraham i personaly praise for mr deepak for his hard work.in normall all brahmin community(bhat,konkani/devaswa/kudalasta/vishwakarma/daivajna/shet/gsb)related who ever wearing/or given brahmopadesha these all customs will follows mr abraham however iam not criticied him.

  • Abraham Coutinho, Mundkur/Bombay

    Sat, Jul 17 2010

    Mr. Raghuveer, Dubai/Madanthyar. Deepak Shet is worth praising for all efforts taken to bring out this detailed article. It is not good to say " well nothing special article". He has taken a lot of pain for this.He had collected information and knowledge from elders and Pandits and compiled it.

    If the boy is not given Bhramopadesha/Janivara in young age, he is given at the marriage time and then only he can marry as a Brahmin. Else not. Even if he was given Janivara at young age, still he has to change it at the Marriage. Previous one is of 3 threads. In marriage his status changes from "Bhramachaari" to "Grahastha" So his Janivara changes from 3 to 6 threads. He will say a mantra " Yagnyopavitham paramam pavitram" and then wears it. Deepak Shet was informed about the system but not full details.

    In the marriage the Groom promises the Bride " Dharme cha, Arthe cha, Kaame cha, na thi charami" means in Dharma, Money and Sex, I will not over rule you. You will find this only in Hindu Religion.So good. Sad thing is, it is not explained or not made to understand to the Groom who promise so. He only repeats.

    Reg. people want fast marriage function instead of waiting for 5 days like olden days. For that the Pandit makes the Groom to perform a ritual. It is pouring 5 spoons (uddarane) of water on the Dharbe (Grass) tied to his middle finger for cuting short the function. Each spoon of water is equal to one bath. 5 spoons = 5 days bath.

  • amul, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 17 2010

    Very nice article by Deepak,God bless you buddy,Mr Abraham-"Bunder Kya Jaane Adrak ka Swad"

  • Dinesh Shettigar, karkala

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Mr. Deepak very nice article keep it up dear. You have good future.

    regards
    Dinesh Shettigar

  • Rammohan, Puttur

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Informative and congratulation for the details given. Can others also follow same and give such illustrative details about customary practices of other communities or castes, for benefit of all.

  • Anand, Karkala/Dubai

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Mr. Coutinho,
    great yaar, I want to invite you for lunch sometimes. You have only one house surrounding to daivajna brahmins it seems. You have the vast knowledge than the writer. keep it up.

  • Shahab, Mangalore

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Mr Deepak, thanks for the wonderful article on the customs and traditions of Daivajnya Brahmins. Also to you MR Abraham Coutinho for the finer points.

  • Suphala Shenoy, Mangalore/Singapore

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    I am greatly impressed by Mr Abraham Coutinho's knowledge about Hindu weddings.Hat's off to you Mr Coutinho.
    Good effort by Mr Deepak Shet.Mostly all the rituals in a Daivajnya Brahmin wedding are similar to GSB weddings. I enjoyed reading the article very much.

  • Reshma, Mlore/UAE

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Deepak.. well written and a good article on the Daivajnya Brahmins marriage subject. This is very informative..felt the feel of the wedding...Now just waiting for a place to sit and relish the yummy lunch you all serve....I have had the wedding lunch at Kala Kunj Mlore...and it was one of most yummiest I have had.....Thanks for the article, keep writing ...god luck

  • RAGHUVEER, DUBAI/MADANTHYAR

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    i agree with mr abraham the gayathri manthra always in right ears to teach .well nothing special articals,because this kind normaly who are wearing thread( janivara)you can see thier marrages,and brahmopadesam,everybody nowadays want quick and faster, otherwisse these funtions starting exactly 5 days before the marraige,

  • Abraham Coutinho, Mundkur/Bombay

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Good efforts & article by Deepak Shet. Keep on writing like this.
    Customs - It is "Suthaka"(unclean) not by birth. Death & Delivery is Suthaka.
    Gyathri Japa is whispered in the RIGHT ear of the boy by the father.
    Udida Muhurtha - No special importance for that. It's just a show or repetition of what was done for the marriage.
    Kashi Yatra - It is a lessson or a note to be taken care of that the marriage is not for enjoyment. The married man should also think of God. Life on earth and heaven. "Eha mathu Paramartha".For going to heaven you need not become Sanyasi. Married man can also become a saint & can go to heaven. Boy also carries a hook "Gala" for fishing. A sign of "Saraswathi Puthra" born by that river region.
    Keeping new name to bride - It's not a ritual. But necessity in certain cases. If the bride's name is the same one of boy's sister or his mother or granny who is dead? So it is changed.
    "Dhedo" and "Dhedi" - Eligible bachelor is made Dhedo not for noticing by others. He can be put on certain responsibility if needed. If Groom does not turn up at the given time - "Muhurtha", the show must go on. Not to be cancelled. Then Dhedo may be asked to marry the bride, he being unmarried and if agreed by both. Else Dhedo has got no job there or any ritual to do. This applies to Dhedi also. Such things do not happen. But if happened, what to do? So that is the precaution of our experienced elders, now followed by us as ritual. I think so. You need not agree with me.

  • vishwa, mangalore\usa

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Nice articlel,

    Some of the prominent people of this community in mangalore are S.L Shet, Raghunath shet ( navrathan palace), narasimha shet etc

  • Mike, KSA

    Fri, Jul 16 2010

    Very informative article by Deepak. Keep it up.


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