Pre - Wedding Ceremony (nalangu)
In Hindu weddings, Nalangu ( pre-wedding ceremony) is considered important and normally will take atleast 2-3 days for the cycle to complete. The bride/bridegroom must be fully vegetarian and not allowed to step out of the house. They are given royal treatment.
Few items are used during Nalangu such as sandalwood paste, Rose water, pestle, Lamps, rice grains & water. The items are decorated with flowers and other colorful decor. My mom prepared most of the items for my cousin’s nalangu and normally will be done by atleast 3-5 married womens. After the completion of nalangu , Mangalam Arathi is taken to ward off evil eyes. Big Pandal is also erected at the front portion of house, normally where foods are served for the guests. Apart from that the pandal is decorated with 2 Banana trees which symbolises longevity & mango leaves.
