Family The Paradise Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal
31st Episode on Successful Family Life.
Manthrakodi – A significant symbol of a new beginning
Tali and Manthrakodi are typical Indian cultural symbols associated with marriage. In olden days Talikettu or kettukalyanam  and Marriage (Pudamuri Kalyanam) were done separately.
Groom ceremoniously ties the Tali. But the real marriage is Pudamuri kalyanam. Here, the groom gives the bride kodi pudava (new cloth). Once she receives it, they start living together.
Nowadays, Talikettu and Pudava giving are done in the same function.
Pudava kodukkal is the Manthrakodi Aniyikkal. By this the groom assures that he is there to provide everything for the bride.
Why we call mathra its because of the haindava influence, they do manthra and give the new cloth. We bless with prayer so christians also using the same word.
Meaning, ‘manthra’ means blessed and the word ‘kodi’ means new clothes.
Cloth is more important to woman than it is to man
This is basically a jewish costome
1. It is a symbol of him taking responsibility of her by all means.
Now the groom is undertaking the responsibility to dress her, feed her, love her, and take care of her all the way. 
the manthrakodi is then placed on the head of the bride and she keep it like that till the wedding ceremony over.
The Manthrakodi is worn by the bride after the wedding ceremony as well as for other important family functions.
The priest blesses the manthrakodi. Manthrakodi is imposed on the head of the bride by the groom with the assistance of his eldest sister. This symbolizes the protection and care the bridegroom promises to the bride. The protection and care given by the father of the bride is now taken over by the groom.  
2. Manthrakodi also symbolizes the new & Pure life begins with the marriage. Immediately after the Marriage cerimony, bride wears the manthrakodi and thereafter for all receptions and major functions she wears it.
She keeps it for ever.
The mathrakodi is symbolic of Christ’s clothing His bride the Church with glory.
Symbolizes the virginity of Bride, Pudava Aniyichu Pattakaran Nalkunna Kanyakayaya Bharya Wife. Now on words he has the acces to this lady.
3. Mathrakodi is the First Gift a groom after the wedding
If the riing were the last gift before the marriage, it is the first gift after the marriage, this happens right after exchanging the ring. As it is precious they keep it forever until the end. There may be many gifts exchanged already but its it the blessed gift giving officially after the marriage.
The Manthrakodi is later worn for the wedding reception, and then in future rarely on important occasions until on the death of the bride. During the funeral, the woman is wrapped in her Manthrakodi. This is symbolic of eternal love that transcends even death
4. It Shows the Humility and Respect
This practice is also symbolic of Rebekah. Rebekah covered covered herself in a veil when she saw Isaac.
This was an act of humility, chastity and devotion to her lifelong partner united in marriage by God.
Now onwards only one head that is husband, husbunds head is Christ, wife head is husband. This is a divine role. As they become one flesh we have only one head in the body. Beautiful meaning
We see many ladies are covering their head specially Muslims, it shows the respect.
When the ladies attending the church or in prayer they cover their head, it also shows respect. Its a cultural element, bt we don't judge anyone on the basis of this
Here the bride submit herself to her husband silently in all means
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Family The Paradise Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal