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Vilakkidu Kalyanam
This ceremony is found among the Karkather of Thirunelveli who are endogamous
division of Vellalas. It is a miniature marriage conducted on the first
day of the Tamil month Thai. All the girls of this caste generally in
their ninth year (before attaining puberty) or seventeenth have to wear
a necklace or badge called the 'navamaalai' on this occasion. The ornament
is tied around the girls neck by the maternal grand father or grand mother
or maternal uncle or his wife. A Brahmin priest is called in to officiate
this ceremony. The girls get bronze lamps, which she lights on that occasion.
The badge will be removed at the time of her 'real' marriage but a small
piece, reminiscent of the navamaalai will be attached to her wedding symbol
or Thaali.
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