In our tradition, every auspicious journey begins with a sacred sign – and in weddings, that sign is the Muhurta Kaal (also called Bandhakal). Planting this sacred bamboo pole is not just a ritual, but a way of announcing to the world – and to the divine – that a great celebration is about to unfold.

The Muhurta Kaal is usually planted in the northeast corner (Isanya direction), the direction dedicated to Lord Shiva, the source of divine blessings. A bamboo pole, cleansed and adorned with turmeric, kumkumam, flowers, and a white cloth carrying a coin, is gently placed into the earth. Grains and milk are offered, symbolising prosperity and purity, while family members gather together in joy to set the foundation for the marriage.

Just as bamboo grows tall, strong, and evergreen, the ritual is performed with the prayer that the bride and groom’s married life too will flourish with growth, harmony, and happiness.

Traditionally, the Muhurta Kaal is planted at the groom’s house, the bride’s house, and the wedding venue. It is more than decoration – it is a cultural announcement, much like the maavilai thoranam (mango leaf festoon) that adorns the entrance. In earlier times, this act symbolised that the marriage had been fixed and blessed, and that festivities were soon to begin.

In the past, when weddings were considered community events, families would invite not only relatives and deities but also the king of the land. Since the king could not attend every wedding, he would send his *sceptre* as a mark of approval and blessing. The arrival of the sceptre meant the wedding had royal sanction. Over time, this practice evolved into the planting of the Bandhakal – a symbolic “pillar of approval” for the wedding to proceed.

Thus, the Muhurta Kaal is not just a bamboo pole in the ground – it is a sacred declaration. It tells the gods, the ancestors, and the community that a new union is about to take place, one that carries blessings, joy, and continuity of tradition. From that moment on, the house is filled with the vibration of auspiciousness, and the wedding rituals begin under its watchful grace.

Image Credit : weddingvyapar