Traditional Wedding Ceremonies

Get married in Sri Lankan traditional style or experience a model of Sri Lankan traditional marriage with the MICE Team. Sri Lankan Traditional marriages hold a trade mark in the island of Sri Lanka which goes back to ancient times. Rituals in traditional marriages in Sri Lanka are very unique and colorful. There are scheduled rituals to perform in a traditional marriage which are conducted by the person who recites “ashtaka”. Marriages are traditionally arranged by the families of the couple.  

Nekath – The auspicious time

Buddhist weddings are influenced by the Hindu culture which gives prominence to Nekath, the auspicious time. The Nekath is derived from the horoscopes of the bride and the groom which is based on their dates and times of birth.

Poruwa ceremony

Of the many traditional events that take place during a Buddhist wedding, the Poruwa ceremony is the most important. Therefore, it is strictly guided by Nekath. The Poruwa Siritha (Poruwa ceremony) appears to have existed in Sri Lanka before the introduction of Buddhism in the 3rd Century B.C. Through the ages, many innovations have been introduced to the Poruwa Siritha . The Poruwa Siritha was considered a valid custom as a registered marriage until the British introduced the registration of marriages by law in 1870. Today’s Poruwa ceremony has been influenced by both upcountry and low country customs of Sri Lanka.

Wedding procession

Poruwa is an elevated and beautifully decorated platform on which the traditional Buddhist marriage ceremony takes place. When arranged on a grand scale, the groom is escorted to the wedding location by drummers and typical Kandyan dancers in procession. The bridegroom and party assemble on the left of the Poruwa and the bridal party on the right. The bride and groom enter the Poruwa leading with the right foot. They greet each other with palms held together in the traditional manner.The ceremony starts when the couple offers seven betel leaf bundles to the Gods thereby requesting the Gods to protect the lives of seven generations originating from their marriage. The bride’s father places the right hand of the bride on that of the groom as a symbolic gesture of handing over the bride to the bridegroom.

If you are dreaming to get married in Sri Lanka in traditional style, The MICE Team is there to arrange your destination wedding ceremony in a grand scale. Or if you wish to witness a traditional wedding ceremony, we will be there to arrange a model traditional wedding ceremony.