Over the summer, I had the opportunity to capture Judit and Kajentan’s Ponnurukku (Gold Melting) Ceremony! Keep reading to learn more about this traditional event!
The Thaali is a traditional necklace worn by Tamil brides and symbolizes the marital status of a woman. The Thaali is typically tied around the bride’s neck by the groom during the wedding which marks the official start of the marriage.
The Thaali, made of gold, is equivalent to a wedding ring, symbolizing the bride’s commitment to her husband and her new marital identity. The act of tying the Thaali is often accompanied by prayers and blessings, and it holds deep cultural and religious significance, symbolizing a bond that is meant to last a lifetime.
The gold for the Thaali is melted during the ‘Ponnurukku’ (Ponn/ Gold, Urukku/ Melting) ceremony. This ceremony takes places at the groom’s home and the bride is typically not allowed to attend. The ceremony officially begins with the breaking of a coconut. The groom then hands over the gold coin to the goldsmith after which the coin is melted.
Friends and family attending the ceremony are asked to bless the melted gold. Once this is completed, a tree is planted at the groom’s home symbolizing the couple’s life together.
Traditionally, from this day forward, the groom and bride are not to see each other until the day of their wedding!