Blessings
On the wedding day, at the respective homes of both bride and groom, the priest and close relatives gather for prayers. Because they are going to be elevated as the heads of a new family, at this time they stand on a woven grass mat and, and from that time onwards they are treated as important persons.
After prayers the elders of the family and other respected community members like the first teacher of bride or groom are given gifts (Dhakshina) and in return they give their blessings. The Dhakshina consists of a betel leaf, areca nut and tobacco. Now tobacco is not included because of its presumed health hazard.
Read more about this topic: Mar Thoma Weddings
Famous quotes containing the word blessings:
“I hate the noise and hurry inseparable from great Estates and Titles, and look upon both as blessings that ought only to be given to fools, for ‘tis only to them that they are blessings.”
—Mary Wortley, Lady Montagu (1689–1762)
“[A trip to France] will make you adore your own country, it’s soil, it’s climate, it’s equality, liberty, laws, people and manners. My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“Oh, let me midlife mourn by the shrined
And druid herons’ vows
The voyage to ruin I must run,
Dawn ships clouted aground,
Yet, though I cry with tumbledown tongue,
Count my blessings aloud....”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)