MARRIAGES

Devanga marriages are similar to Hindu marriages with subtle differences. Devangas generally have sangas or marriage consultants who will have the list of prospective brides and grooms. Most of the devanga marriages are arranged marriages. Generally it is the parents of the groom or bride who search for the prospective partner for their children. The groom or bride generally gives an opinion as to the qualities, education, occupation etc. they would like to see in the future partner.

Once the parents shortlist the girl or boy, horoscope matching is done with the help of an astrologer. Once the matching is agreed by the astrologer, a meeting of the prospective boy and girl is arranged over a cup of tea or coffee. Boy and girl exchange their views and if agreed to by both boy and girl a date is fixed for the engagement, which is a small ceremony, generally held at the girl's house, wherein relatives of both boy and girl are present. If there are space constraints, the ceremony is held in a hotel or marriage hall. Ring is exchanged after engagement. Now the boy and girl are free to move around together to movies and restaurants. Premarital sex is not permitted.
The marriage date is fixed on the day of engagement. Marriages are generally held at marriage halls, or "choultries" as they are popularly called. Marriages are elaborate ceremonies lasting two to three days. (Due to rising costs, it is nowadays usually restricted to two days.) On the day prior to the wedding day, the bride arrives at the marriage hall. She seeks the blessings of the god. Then rituals will start.

The first of the rituals is harisna, wherein the bride's hands and feet are massaged with turmeric mixed with oil by all the married ladies. This is followed by the bangle ceremony, wherein new bangles specially brought by the banglewoman to the occasion are worn by all the ladies. This is followed by a nice bath, and other rituals continue whole night.

On the morning of the next day, the groom goes to temple with dhoti and umbrella for a ritual called kashiyatra wherein he is intercepted by the parents of the bride and his feet is washed by the girl's parents on a silver plate. After this ritual, the groom moves to the marriage hall for the all-important sacred thread tying (mangal sutra) which marks the culmination of bachelorhood and entering into married life. This is followed by lunch to all the invitees. In the evening a reception is arranged wherein the bride and bridegroom sit/stand on a podium. All the invitees greet the newlywed couples. This is followed by dinner.

Source: Answers.com