Wedding Nakath: how auspicious times are chosen

In a traditional Sri Lankan wedding, the most important moments happen at set auspicious times, or Nakath. Couples who aren't superstitious often follow them anyway, because they matter to parents and grandparents. Here's what to expect.

What Nakath are set for

An astrologer usually gives a short list of times for the wedding day, for example:

• when the groom leaves home
• when the couple step onto the Poruwa
• the moment of the tying of the fingers and the pouring of water
• when the couple leave for their new home
• sometimes the first meal or lighting of the oil lamp at the new home

How they're chosen

The astrologer starts from both horoscopes and looks for a date and time when the planets, the moon's birth star and the day of the week are favourable for both people. Some months are traditionally avoided altogether, so popular wedding seasons fill up quickly.

Planning around them

• Ask for Nakath before booking a venue. Halls and hotels fill fast on auspicious dates.
• Share the times with your photographer, Poruwa decorator and the master of ceremonies.
• Build in buffer time. A Nakath that falls early in the morning shapes the whole day's schedule.
• If two families use different astrologers, agree early on whose times to follow.

Other occasions

Many families also ask for Nakath for the engagement, the homecoming after the wedding and moving into a new house. The same astrologer usually sets them all, so ask for the full list at once and share it with both families.

If you live abroad

Couples living abroad often still follow Nakath. The times are worked out for a place, so tell the astrologer where the ceremony will be held: a time set for Colombo won't be right in London or Melbourne. If parents are in Sri Lanka, agree on the time zone before invitations go out.

Before Nakath: Porondam

Nakath are chosen once a marriage is agreed. Before that, families usually check horoscope compatibility. You can check Porondam free, or read how Porondam works.