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About our community:

- By Raj Kumar

Mudaliar also Mudaliyar, Mudali, and Moodley in Tamil language literally refers to a person of first rank in a feudal society in south India. "Mudali" in the 13th century referred to a title. Most Mudaliars are Tamil people with Tamil as their mother tongue.
There are 23.6 Million Mudaliars (approx.) in southern India and 42.7 million (approx.) all over world.

Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Pondicherry, Singapore, Malaysia, Banglore, Chittoor, Nellore districts, and Hyderabad of Andhra Pradesh consists maximum members of our community. Our forefathers have contributed in the fields of arts & culture, politics, economics, architecture, history, science, astronomy, martial & military excellence and spirituality. We are very much proud of our glorious past and our 'steeped in tradition' roots. Even today we find great pride in carrying forth the values and tradition taught to us by our forefathers. Our community follows certain ethnic customs and social traditions uniquely representing the traits of Mudaliar.

In India, the Hindu world celebrates Diwali for various reasons and in different ways; it is an underlying fact that the festival helps boost the economy of the country more than any other festival celebrated in India.

Wedding customs:

In our community, the alliance is confirmed through a memorandum where the father of the boy and that of the girl sign the contract. In this engagement ceremony, the groom's family hands over gifts, which include sarees, jewellery, and 21 platters of fruits and dried nuts and fruits. The date of the wedding is also fixed on this day.

Ceremonies involved in a Mudaliar wedding:

The engagement: Finalizing the marriage through a memorandum.

Pandakal: Erecting the marriage 'pandaal'.

Nalangu: Beautifying the bride.

The bridegroom's reception: Receiving the groom.

Arsan Kal: Erecting the bamboo stick in front of the marriage platform.

Padapuja & Kasi Yatra: The groom washes his parents' feet and proceeds on a mock pilgrimage.

Mahalaxmi puja: Prayers offered to the Goddess of wealth.

Manai Pongal: Rice is cooked in a clay pot.

Kanganam: Tying of the sacred yellow thread.

Kanikadanam: Giving away the bride.

Mangalyam: Tying of the sacred 'mangalyam' on the bride.

Exchange of garlands: The couple exchange garlands three times.

Omam: The couple pays homage to the sacred fire.

Sesha: Blessing the couple.

Paying homage to the Arasanikkal: The couple goes around the 'arasanikkal' three times.