Tradition is significant in the Tamil marriage ceremony. The wedding rituals are meaningful, and each ritual has a specific role and adds to the cultural fabric of the union.
The astrological stars, or Nakshatram, also hold an immense level of significance in Tamil weddings. In fact, a ritual called the Nakshatra Porutham takes place before the wedding day to align the horoscopes of the bride and groom.
Kula Deivam, on the other hand, is a lineage identifier. Kula Deivam represents the deities that were worshipped by ancestors on the father’s side of both the bride and groom. Many Tamil families believe that nothing can be done without the Kula Deivam’s blessing.
But do these have a place in the biodata for marriage? Let us find out.
What Is Kula Deivam?
The term ‘Kula Deivam’ comes from two words- ‘Kula’, which means Clan, and ‘Deivam’, which means Deity. Essentially, your family’s Kula Deivam is the deity worshipped by the ancestors of your father. The male child of the family carries this tradition and passes it on to the next generations.
Kula Deivam is immensely significant in Tamil culture. Many Tamilians believe that the ancestral deity protects their family from harm or hardships. Thus, it is important to seek the Kula Deivam’s blessing before any activity.
Believing in this concept, many Tamil families who have migrated away from their ancestral lands visit from time to time to seek their Kula Deivam’s blessings.
What Is Nakshatram?
The definition of Nakshatram is derived from Vedic astrology. Nakshatram is referred to as a lunar mansion, which is a constellation. It is believed that Nakshatram is associated with the moon’s position in the sky and can influence a person’s life.
In Jagatham, which is a person’s birth chart, Nakshatram plays a fundamental role in determining a person’s destiny, personality and trajectory in life.
Nakshatram is crucial in the Tamil wedding ceremony as they believe that matching horoscopes can help define compatibility between the bride and groom. The process, referred to as Nakshatra Porutham, is perceived as critical to ensure a happy marriage and an enriched life of togetherness.
Traditional Importance in Marriage Matching
How are Kula Deivam and Nakshatram important in matchmaking? Kula Deivam, as a representative of a clan, represents the Gotram of an individual. It helps in preventing marriage in the same lineage. While horoscope matching through Nakshatram ensures the compatibility of a couple.
Role of Kula Deivam in Matchmaking
Kula Deivam, being the clan deity, is considered to watch over a clan. Thus, if two people share the same Kula Deivam, they belong to the same lineage or Gotram. This process of matching Kula Deivam, referred to as lineage matching, is used to verify the differences in lineages of the bride and groom.
It is a traditional practice in Hinduism where lineage matching is designed to prevent close relatives from marrying. Thus, lineage matching through Kula Deivam is important to ensure that lineages of the bride and groom are different, maintaining religious harmony.
Kula Deivam not only has a role in matchmaking, but also is the deity whose permission is required before a wedding can take place. Tamil families often believe that before any event, it is important to seek Kula Deivam’s blessing. It also ensures ancestral blessings before marriage.
Role of Nakshatram in Horoscope Matching
Horoscope matching is an important tradition in Hindu matchmaking. For the Tamil community, the process is called Nakshatra Porutham, and it is an essential prerequisite for marriage.
They believe that the better the stars’ match, the better the compatibility between the bride and the groom. It is also believed that the stars’ matching can create a deeper bond between two people, further leading to a lasting marriage.
Modern Perspectives in the Tamil Community
The traditions discussed have been relevant since the Vedic age. However, with time and society’s progress, have these traditions remained the same? Are Kula Deivam and Nakshatram still relevant in modern Tamil matchmaking? Here, it will be explored what their place is in the modern biodata format.
Is It Still Necessary to Include Kula Deivam?
Whether or not Kula Deivam forms a part of the marriage biodata format varies from family to family. If a Tamil family prefers traditional matrimonial systems, they would demand that Kula Deivam’s name be presented in the biodata.
The younger generation’s awareness of their Kula Deivam depends on their family’s beliefs. However, whether or not they believe in the clan deity and their influence depends on personal preferences and beliefs. However, this scenario may arise where you might not believe in the concept of Kula Deivam, but support your family’s beliefs.
The latter scenario is common among Indian youth, but in such cases, they may sign off on mentioning their Kula Deivam when framing a marriage biodata in Tamil. If you want to know where Kula Deivam fits in the marriage biodata structure, you can sign up on relevant platforms offering the format of biodata for marriage in Tamil for free.
Is Nakshatram Still Mandatory in Biodata?
More so than Kula Deivam, Nakshatram is still a crucial factor for Indian arranged marriages. Especially in Tamil marriages, where horoscope matching is considered important for informed decision-making. It determines marital compatibility, which implies that many families prefer to find this factor in a marriage biodata.
It is evident, as you can find out on websites offering a glance at the format of biodata for marriage in Tamil for free, that horoscopes are a significant factor in the Tamil marriage biodata. However, it is also optional, reflecting that families that prefer horoscope matching can use it as a factor, while others can avoid it.
When You Should Include These Details
If you want to know whether or not you should include the information on Kula Deivam or Nakshatram on your Tamil marriage biodata, you need to consider the appropriate scenarios.
Scenarios Where It’s Recommended
Kula Deivam and Nakshatram are recommended on the marriage biodata in the case of the following scenarios:
- If you are looking for a traditional arranged marriage.
- If your marriage is facilitated by religious elders in your family.
- If your family is one that strictly wants to know about horoscope compatibility.
Scenarios Where It’s Optional
On the other hand, in certain marriage scenarios, the Kula Deivam and Nakshatram options on the Tamil marriage bio data format become optional.
The following scenarios are such:
- Inter-religious marriages.
- Love marriages.
- If your family does not look for horoscope compatibility or matching lineage.
Keep It Respectful and Concise
If you are to add your information on Kula Deivam and Nakshatram on your marriage biodata, you have to practice mindfulness on how you present these details.
- You need to be honest about these details, as a lot of the marriage process is dependent on them.
- You need to avoid being over-descriptive regarding religion.
Conclusion
In Tamil marriages, Kula Deivam and Nakshatram are often key factors for some families in defining matrimonial matchmaking. However, you have to remember that this is primarily based on choice. Whether you want to add them to your marriage biodata or not is your personal or cultural preference.
However, considering the above, please ensure that you frame your marriage biodata with honesty and transparency. This will help potential matches make choices based on their preferences and will help avoid any conflicts down the line.
