replaced with six cotton strands during the wedding. In Tulunadu (consisting of present Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Kasargodu districts). Every Shivalli Madhva Brahmin household has its own Bhoota and Nagadevata. These deities were worshiped by household members. Today because of modernisation and emigration they are followed in some households only. Marriage Present day marriages of Shivalli Madhva Brahmins are a four-day ceremony, sometimes condensed to a single day due to the fast pace of today's life. In the three-day ritual, the process of marriage starts with Naandi (literally meaning start). During Naandi, which takes place in the groom's and bride's homes separately, but at the same time, a ceremony is performed where the bride and groom have coconut oil and turmeric applied to them and are bathed in hot water followed by other rituals. Marriage (Madimae in Tulu) takes place at a temple, hall or auditorium followed by lunch. All the ceremonies are held as per horoscopes of bride and groom at a particular time called muhurtha. Generally the day after marriage, a ceremony called the Bigara authana (a sort of reception) is held at the groom's place and consists of the Satyanarayana puja and other rituals followed by lunch. The bigara authana is an equivalent of the marriage reception. The fourth day is a small function at the bride's house named as "Aarthakshathe." It is a ritual where shamiana (house decorative) will be removed concluding end of the ceremony. Bride and groom's Basinga (a wearing specially worn on the wedding day) is tied to a pole in the bride's house and the newly married couple will start their new life with elders' (hiriyer) blessings. Festivals Shivalli Brahmins celebrate all major Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepavali, Navaratri, Sankranti, Madhwanavami, Janmashtami, Maha Shivaratri, Bisu Parba(Tulu New Year), Ramanavami, Hanuman Jayanthi etc. They also believe in Nagaradhane and rituals of Bhuta Kola. See also Tuluva Brahmins Ahichatra Nambudiri Krishnapura matha Paryaya Notes References Gururaja Bhat, P., Studies in Tuluva History and Culture, 1975. Gururaja Bhat, P., Tuḷunāḍu, 1963 Hebbar, Neria H., "Customs and Classes of Hinduism", 2 March 2003. Hebbar, Neria H., "The Tale of Tuluva Brahmins", p. 2, 12 January 2003. Kakkilaya, B. Srinivas, "The History of Shivalli Brahmins", 25 July 2005. Rajalakshmi, U.B., Udupi Cuisine, Bangalore: Prism Books, . Saletore, B.A., Ancient Karnataka History of Tuluva, vol. I, 1936. External links Shivalli Brahmins Tulu Brahmins Karnataka society Kannada