# Tamil wedding invitation wording, in Tamil and English

By Zaroor Aana. Last updated 15 November 2026. Page: https://zarooraana.com/blog/tamil-wedding-invitation-wording

> A Tamil wedding invitation, the thirumana azhaippithazh (திருமண அழைப்பிதழ்), is written like a letter. It opens with உ and the family deity’s name, then the heading, the greeting அன்புடையீர், வணக்கம், the Tamil date and muhurtham, the couple with their parents, the venue, a request to come, and the closing தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும் above the family’s names.

## In brief

- A Tamil wedding card keeps one order: invocation, heading, greeting, date and muhurtham, the couple with their parents, venue, request and closing names.
- Hindu cards open with உ, the Pillaiyar suzhi, and many add the family deity’s name with துணை.
- The traditional date line begins நிகழும் மங்களகரமான and gives the Tamil year, month and date, with the English date in brackets.
- செல்வன் and செல்வி go before the groom’s and bride’s names; families differ on when to use திருவளர் and திருநிறை.
- The closing தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும் means “those who wish for your gracious presence”, and the family’s names follow it.

## What is written on a Tamil wedding invitation, and in what order?

A Tamil wedding invitation is called thirumana azhaippithazh (திருமண அழைப்பிதழ்). Many families say kalyana pathirikai (கல்யாண பத்திரிகை), and some cards are headed subhamuhurtha pathirikai (சுபமுகூர்த்தப் பத்திரிகை). It reads like a letter from the family, and the order of the parts hardly changes.

**The parts of a Tamil wedding invitation, in order**

| Part | In Tamil | How it is said | What it means |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Invocation | உ · ஸ்ரீ முருகன் துணை | Pillaiyar suzhi; Sri Murugan thunai | A mark for Lord Ganesha, then “Sri Murugan, be with us”. The deity’s name changes with the family |
| 2. Heading | திருமண அழைப்பிதழ் | Thirumana azhaippithazh | Wedding invitation |
| 3. Greeting | அன்புடையீர், வணக்கம். | Anbudaiyeer, vanakkam | Dear ones, greetings |
| 4. Date and muhurtham | நிகழும் மங்களகரமான … சுபமுகூர்த்தத்தில் | Nigazhum mangalakaramaana … subhamuhurthathil | In this auspicious year … at the auspicious hour |
| 5. The couple | … அவர்களின் மகன் செல்வன் [Groom], … அவர்களின் மகள் செல்வி [Bride] | … avargalin magan Selvan [Groom], … avargalin magal Selvi [Bride] | [Groom], son of …, and [Bride], daughter of … |
| 6. Venue | இடம்: [Venue], [City] | Idam | Place |
| 7. Request | மணமக்களை வாழ்த்த அன்புடன் அழைக்கிறோம் | Manamakkalai vaazhtha anbudan azhaikkirom | We invite you with love to bless the couple |
| 8. Closing | தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும் | Thangal nalvaravai virumbum | Those who wish for your gracious presence, followed by names |

Tamil cards usually sit beside an English side or an English card with the same details. For the general order of an Indian card in English, see [wedding card matter in Hindi and English](https://zarooraana.com/blog/wedding-card-matter-hindi-english).

## What goes at the top of a Tamil wedding card?

Hindu Tamil cards open with உ. This is the Pillaiyar suzhi, the small mark for Lord Ganesha that begins any auspicious writing. Below it many families print the name of their kula deivam, the family deity, followed by துணை (thunai), which asks the deity to be with them.

> உ
> ஸ்ரீ முருகன் துணை

The Murugan line is only an example. Cards carry whichever name the family prays to, in the same pattern: ஸ்ரீ விநாயகர் துணை (Sri Vinayagar thunai) for Lord Ganesha, or the name of the village deity. Some cards use ஓம் or சிவமயம் instead. Ask the elders at home which line your card should carry.

Tamil Christian and Muslim families use the same letter form with their own opening line, so follow your church or your elders for that.

The heading comes next. Any one of these three is used.

- திருமண அழைப்பிதழ் (thirumana azhaippithazh): wedding invitation. The most common heading.
- சுபமுகூர்த்தப் பத்திரிகை (subhamuhurtha pathirikai): invitation to the auspicious hour.
- கல்யாண பத்திரிகை (kalyana pathirikai): wedding card, the everyday name.

## How is the date and muhurtham line written in Tamil?

The traditional date line begins நிகழும் மங்களகரமான (nigazhum mangalakaramaana), “in the current, auspicious”. It then names the Tamil year, the Tamil month, the date within that month, the English date in brackets, the day of the week and the muhurtham time.

> நிகழும் மங்களகரமான [Tamil year] வருடம் [Tamil month] மாதம் [Tamil date]-ஆம் நாள் ([Date]) [Day] காலை [Time] மணிக்கு மேல் [Time] மணிக்குள் அமைந்துள்ள சுபமுகூர்த்தத்தில்

Read aloud: “Nigazhum mangalakaramaana [Tamil year] varudam, [Tamil month] maadham, [Tamil date]-aam naal, [Day], kaalai [Time] manikku mel [Time] manikkul amaindhulla subhamuhurthathil.” It means: in this auspicious year, in this month, on this day, at the auspicious hour that falls between the two times in the morning.

- வருடம் (varudam): the year. Each Tamil year has a name, and the name comes before the word.
- மாதம் (maadham): the Tamil month, such as தை (Thai), ஆனி (Aani) or ஐப்பசி (Aippasi).
- நாள் (naal): the day. கிழமை (kizhamai) is the day of the week.
- காலை (kaalai) is morning and மாலை (maalai) is evening.
- மணிக்கு மேல் … மணிக்குள் (manikku mel … manikkul): after this time and before that time. The muhurtham is given as a window.

Some cards also name the thithi, the nakshatram and the lagnam of the muhurtham in this line. Take the year name, the Tamil date and the muhurtham time from your priest or the family panchangam. Do not work them out from a sample.

## What do Selvan, Selvi, Thiruvalar and Thirunirai mean on a Tamil invitation?

செல்வன் (Selvan) goes before the groom’s name and செல்வி (Selvi) before the bride’s. They mark a young man and a young woman who are not yet married, in the way Hindi cards use चि. and सौ.कां.

Many cards lengthen them to திருவளர்ச்செல்வன் or திருநிறைச்செல்வன் for the groom, and திருவளர்ச்செல்வி or திருநிறைச்செல்வி for the bride. Thiruvalar means “in whom good fortune grows” and thirunirai means “full of good fortune”. The spelling varies from printer to printer, with and without the joining ச்.

Which one to use is not settled. The Tamil explainers we read say திருவளர் is for the eldest child, the first wedding in the house, and திருநிறை for the youngest, the last wedding. One printer’s guide simply gives திருநிறைச் செல்வன் for the groom and திருவளர்ச் செல்வி for the bride. Ask your elders before you print either, or keep the plain செல்வன் and செல்வி.

Parents are written with திரு. (Thiru, Mr) and திருமதி. (Thirumathi, Mrs), followed by அவர்களின் மகன் (their son) or அவர்களின் மகள் (their daughter).

> திரு. [Father] & திருமதி. [Mother] அவர்களின் மகன் திருநிறைச் செல்வன் [Groom]

## What is a complete Tamil wedding invitation wording to copy?

This first sample is the traditional form, with the Tamil date line. Replace the words in brackets and change the deity’s name to your own.

> உ
> ஸ்ரீ முருகன் துணை
> திருமண அழைப்பிதழ்
> அன்புடையீர், வணக்கம்.
> நிகழும் மங்களகரமான [Tamil year] வருடம் [Tamil month] மாதம் [Tamil date]-ஆம் நாள் ([Date]) [Day] காலை [Time] மணிக்கு மேல் [Time] மணிக்குள் அமைந்துள்ள சுபமுகூர்த்தத்தில்,
> திரு. [Father] & திருமதி. [Mother] அவர்களின் மகன் திருநிறைச் செல்வன் [Groom],
> திரு. [Father] & திருமதி. [Mother] அவர்களின் மகள் திருவளர்ச் செல்வி [Bride],
> இவர்களின் திருமணம் பெரியோர்களின் நல்லாசியோடு நடைபெற உள்ளது.
> இடம்: [Venue], [City].
> தங்கள் சுற்றமும் நட்பும் சூழ வருகை தந்து மணமக்களை வாழ்த்த அன்புடன் அழைக்கிறோம்.
> தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும்,
> [Names]

Read aloud, the body is: “Anbudaiyeer, vanakkam. Nigazhum mangalakaramaana … subhamuhurthathil, Thiru [Father] & Thirumathi [Mother] avargalin magan Thirunirai Selvan [Groom], Thiru [Father] & Thirumathi [Mother] avargalin magal Thiruvalar Selvi [Bride], ivargalin thirumanam periyorgalin nallaasiyodu nadaipera ulladhu. Idam: [Venue]. Thangal sutramum natpum soozha varugai thandhu manamakkalai vaazhtha anbudan azhaikkirom. Thangal nalvaravai virumbum, [Names].”

In English: “Dear ones, greetings. In this auspicious year, at the auspicious hour on [Date], the wedding of [Groom], son of Mr and Mrs [Father], and [Bride], daughter of Mr and Mrs [Father], will take place with the blessings of our elders. Venue: [Venue]. We invite you with love to come with your relatives and friends and bless the couple. Wishing for your gracious presence, [Names].”

This second sample is shorter and uses the English date. It suits a card that will mostly be read on a phone.

> உ
> திருமண அழைப்பிதழ்
> அன்புடையீர், வணக்கம்.
> [Father] & [Mother] அவர்களின் மகன் [Groom],
> [Father] & [Mother] அவர்களின் மகள் [Bride],
> இவர்களின் திருமணம் பெரியோர்களின் நல்லாசியோடு நடைபெற உள்ளது.
> சுபமுகூர்த்த நாள்: [Date], [Day]
> முகூர்த்த நேரம்: [Time]
> இடம்: [Venue], [City]
> தாங்கள் குடும்பத்துடன் வருகை தந்து மணமக்களை வாழ்த்த அன்புடன் அழைக்கிறோம்.
> இப்படிக்கு,
> [Names]

Here சுபமுகூர்த்த நாள் (subhamuhurtha naal) is the auspicious day, முகூர்த்த நேரம் (muhurtha neram) is the muhurtham time and இடம் (idam) is the place. The request line means “we invite you with love to come with your family and bless the couple”.

Most sample cards name the groom and his parents first. There is no fixed rule, so follow your elders.

## What do “thangal nalvaravai virumbum” and “ippadikku” mean?

These are the closing headings. Each is followed by names: the parents first, then often a long list of uncles, aunts and other relatives.

- தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும் (thangal nalvaravai virumbum): “those who wish for your gracious presence”. The best-known closing on a Tamil card; the relatives’ names sit under it.
- அன்புடன் அழைக்கும் (anbudan azhaikkum): “inviting you with love”. Used in the same place.
- இப்படிக்கு (ippadikku): “yours” or “thus, from”. The plain sign-off of a Tamil letter, followed by the hosts’ names.
- தங்கள் வருகையே எங்கள் பாக்கியம் (thangal varugaiye engal bhagyam): “your coming is our good fortune”. A line some cards add before the names.

> தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும்,
> [Father] – [Mother]
> மற்றும் குடும்பத்தினர்

மற்றும் குடும்பத்தினர் (matrum kudumbathinar) means “and family”. If you know Hindi cards, this heading does the work of darshanabhilashi; see [what the closing terms on a wedding card mean](https://zarooraana.com/blog/wedding-card-terms-meaning).

## What are the functions in a Tamil wedding called?

Functions differ by community and by family, and so do their names. These four appear on most Tamil invitations and in the messages families send.

**Tamil wedding functions and their names**

| Function | In Tamil | What it is |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nichayathartham | நிச்சயதார்த்தம் | The engagement, when the two families formally fix the marriage. It often has its own invitation, நிச்சயதார்த்த அழைப்பிதழ் |
| Pandhakaal | பந்தக்கால் நடுதல் (also முகூர்த்தக்கால்) | Planting a pole at the house to mark the start of the wedding work, some days before the wedding |
| Muhurtham | முகூர்த்தம் | The auspicious hour of the wedding itself, when the thaali is tied |
| Varaverpu | வரவேற்பு (திருமண வரவேற்பு) | The reception. Some families hold it the evening before the wedding and some after it |

Nalangu, maruthani (mehendi) and the welcome of the groom’s party are held in many families too. List only the functions you are holding, each with its day, time and place.

## What short Tamil messages can you send on WhatsApp with the invitation?

A WhatsApp message in Tamil can be two or three lines, because the card or the link carries the rest. These are simple lines built from the card wording above.

> அன்புடையீர், வணக்கம்.
> எங்கள் இல்லத் திருமண விழாவில் கலந்துகொண்டு மணமக்களை வாழ்த்த உங்களை அன்புடன் அழைக்கிறோம்.
> [Groom] – [Bride]
> நாள்: [Date], [Day]
> முகூர்த்தம்: [Time]
> இடம்: [Venue], [City]

Meaning: “Dear ones, greetings. We invite you with love to join the wedding in our family and bless the couple.” Then the day, the muhurtham and the place.

> [Groom] – [Bride] திருமண அழைப்பிதழ்.
> தாங்கள் குடும்பத்துடன் வருகை தந்து மணமக்களை வாழ்த்த அன்புடன் அழைக்கிறோம்.
> [Link]

Meaning: “The wedding invitation of [Groom] and [Bride]. We invite you with love to come with your family and bless the couple.”

> திருமண வரவேற்பு
> நாள்: [Date]
> நேரம்: மாலை [Time]
> இடம்: [Venue], [City]
> அவசியம் வாருங்கள்.

Meaning: “Wedding reception”, with the day, the evening time and the place, then அவசியம் வாருங்கள் (avasiyam vaarungal), “please do come”.

For messages in English and Hindi, see [wedding invitation messages for WhatsApp](https://zarooraana.com/blog/wedding-invitation-message-for-whatsapp). At Zaroor Aana a wedding invite is ₹2,999. Our [Kolam Ke Dwaar design](https://zarooraana.com/invites/kolam) is made for Tamil and South Indian weddings, and the shop’s Tamil option opens with ஸ்ரீ விநாயகர் துணை and the heading திருமண அழைப்பிதழ். All the designs open with sample names.

## Questions families ask

### What is a wedding invitation called in Tamil?

A wedding invitation in Tamil is called thirumana azhaippithazh (திருமண அழைப்பிதழ்). In everyday speech many families say kalyana pathirikai (கல்யாண பத்திரிகை), and some printed cards carry the heading subhamuhurtha pathirikai (சுபமுகூர்த்தப் பத்திரிகை). All three mean the same card.

### What is the first line on a Tamil wedding invitation?

The first line on a Hindu Tamil wedding invitation is உ, the Pillaiyar suzhi, a mark for Lord Ganesha. Many families print their family deity’s name below it with துணை, as in ஸ்ரீ முருகன் துணை. The heading திருமண அழைப்பிதழ் comes after that.

### What does “thangal nalvaravai virumbum” mean?

Thangal nalvaravai virumbum (தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும்) means “those who wish for your gracious presence”. It is the closing heading on a Tamil wedding invitation. The names of the parents and relatives who join in the invitation are printed under it, often as a long list.

### What is the difference between Thiruvalar Selvan and Thirunirai Selvan?

Both are respectful titles printed before the groom’s name on a Tamil wedding invitation. Several Tamil explainers say thiruvalar marks the eldest child’s wedding and thirunirai the youngest child’s. Other cards use them without that meaning. Practice varies by family, so ask your elders which one to print.

### How do you write the muhurtham time on a Tamil invitation?

The muhurtham on a Tamil invitation is written as a window: காலை [Time] மணிக்கு மேல் [Time] மணிக்குள், meaning after the first time and before the second, in the morning. Take both times from your priest, and give the English date beside the Tamil date.

### Can a Tamil wedding invitation be in Tamil and English together?

Yes. Many families print Tamil on one side of the card and English on the other, or keep the invocation, the heading and the family names in Tamil and the programme in English. On a digital invite both can sit together, so relatives in other cities can read it easily.

## See it for yourself

- [See Kolam Ke Dwaar, the Tamil wedding invite](https://zarooraana.com/invites/kolam)
- [See all the wedding invites](https://zarooraana.com/invites)
- [Wedding card matter in Hindi and English](https://zarooraana.com/blog/wedding-card-matter-hindi-english)
- [Wedding invitation messages for WhatsApp](https://zarooraana.com/blog/wedding-invitation-message-for-whatsapp)

## Sources

- [Varuga Varuga (a Tamil e-invite seller): wedding invitation wording in Tamil, line by line with English](https://varugavaruga.in/tamil-wedding-invitation-wording)
- [Varuga Varuga: Tamil wedding invitation format, from the top line to the closing](https://varugavaruga.in/wedding-invitation)
- [Designee (a design tool), 8 October 2026: திருமண அழைப்பிதழ் வாசகங்கள், the order of a Tamil card with sample wording](https://www.designee.in/blog/wedding-invitation-wording-tamil)
- [Theebam.com, December 2019: a sample invitation in the traditional wording (நிகழும் மங்களகரமான …)](https://www.ttamil.com/2019/12/blog-post_7.html)
- [Daily Thanthi: a panchayat president prints 900 families under “தங்கள் நல்வரவை விரும்பும் உறவினர்கள்”](https://www.dailythanthi.com/news/tamilnadu/panchayat-president-who-printed-the-names-of-900-families-in-the-invitation-729891)
- [Deep Talks Tamil: what திருவளர்ச்செல்வன் and திருநிறைச்செல்வன் signal on a wedding invitation](https://www.deeptalks.in/interesting-information/hidden-meanings-tamil-wedding-invitations/)
- [Pothunalam: the meaning of திருவளர்செல்வன் and திருவளர்செல்வி on a kalyana pathirikai](https://www.pothunalam.com/%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D/thiruvalarselvan-thiruvalarselvi-meaning-in-tamil/)
- [Tamil Wikipedia: முகூர்த்தக்கால் நடுதல் (also called பந்தக்கால் நடுதல்)](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D)