The rituals conducted throughout the wedding ceremony holds religious significance. In the traditional wedding ceremony of the Telugu people, the bride and the groom are religiously united in presence of Panchabhutaalu namely Bhumi (Earth), Akaasham (Sky), Agni (Fire), Neeru (Water) and Vaayuvu (air) and become the husband and wife as per the Hindu law. This event is held at the Kalyana Mandapam (Wedding Pavilion) decorated with fresh flowers and mango leaves in rich colours.
In the beginning of wedding ceremony, the groom attends the Lord Ganesh puja and bride attends the Gouri Devi Pooja at the Kalyana Mandapam with all their family members and relatives.
Thereafter, the groom and bride are seated opposite to each other on the Kalyana Mandapam separated by a curtain, so that they cannot see each other until the Kanyadhanam is completed. Then the bride’s parents wash the groom’s feet as a gesture of respect since the groom is considered as Lord Vishnu and bride is considered as Lakshmi Devi. While the priest recites the Slokas, the bride’s parents hand over their daughter’s responsibility to groom, it is called Kanyadhanam. Then the partition between the couple is removed.
Thereafter, the couple is asked to place the Jilakara-Bellam paste on each other’s head. This custom symbolises the fact the couple’s relationship is inseparable. This custom is conducted at the actual Muhurtham time. The family members and relatives come forward to bless the couple by showing Akshinthalu.
Following that, the bride is asked to dress up in white saree and the groom in white dhoti for Mangala Suthra Dharana. Here the couple sits next to each other. While the priests recite Slokas, the groom is asked to tie the Mangala Suthram around the bride’s neck with three knots. This represents the union of couple physically, mentally and spiritually. Then the groom will tie a string of black beads (Nalla Pusalu) to the bride to wear-off any evil-eye. One again the guests witnessing the ceremony come forward to bless the new couple by sprinkling Akshinthalu.
Then the couple showers Thalambralu on each other’s head with lots of fun. This ritual is followed by exchanging garlands. Thereafter, the bride’s feet is adorned with the toe rings (Mettelu Pillellu) by their maternal grandparents.
Then the couple is asked to walk seven steps together while taking oaths of loving, caring, guiding, protecting, understanding each other.
Thereafter, they play a fun-filled game called Ungarala Aata, in which the priest places the Bride’s silver toe ring and groom’s golden ring in the water-filled vessel ( Bindhe) and asks the couple to fish for the golden ring. The groom is asked to use his right hand while the bride uses her left hand to play this game. They are asked to play this game 3 times, whosoever wins the game more are said to be the dominant person in the marriage.
Then the priest does the Brahma Mudi, in which end of the Bride’s saree pallu is tied to the end of the Groom’s Kanduva.
At the end of the wedding, the Appginthalu ceremony is carried out in which the bride is handed over to the groom and his family traditionally.
During the ceremony, bride’s family will offer “Yaranala Pette” to the groom’s sister. The suitcase will have make-up kit and, Saree, Thambulam, silver Kumkuma Bharina, Endu Kobbari Chippalu, Dried dates, blouse pieces, flowers etc. Along with the “Yaranala pette”, Sunni Undalu, Ariselu, Pasupu, Kumkuma, Salt, Sunni pindi are offered to the groom’s sister in Steel Bhindelu. These are sealed with the yellow cloth.
During the ceremony, the groom’s family will officially invite the bride’s family and relatives with Kumkuma to the Nomulu and Reception ceremony that takes place at the Groom’s place.
Certain items such as bride’s pumpkin, bride’s vodiganti biyyam, bride’s garika buddi, groom’s pelli peta and any other articles from the Kalyana Mandapam shall be carried back to groom’s place.
Preparations and Shopping Checklist:
- Get Puja items list from Priest
- Shopping List: Puja items from Priest
- Arrange 1-2kgs flowers for puja Ganesh /Gouri Devi Puja
- SL: Flowers
- Make sure all the gold ornaments are ready
- SL: Mangala Suthram, Nalla Pusalu, Gold Chain, Ring (s) etc.
- Make sure groom has some cash in his pocket
- Carry following items to the wedding location
- SL: Garika buddi, Pumpkin, Chamki dhandalu, Flower garlands, Dharmakol balls, Chamkies, colored bolls, snow sprays, Thalambrala Battalu for Bride
- Pelli peta, Thalambralu, Bride’s Basikam
- Bring back these items from the wedding location:
- Bride’s pumpkin, Bride’s Vodiganti Biyyam, bride’s Garika Muntha, groom’s Pelli Peta, Yaranala Pette including the sweets and items comes along with it
- Invite the bride’s family and relatives to Nomulu and Reception Ceremonies
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