Here’s a Step-by-Step Guide to The Telugu Wedding Rituals

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Last Updated on February 18, 2023 by

Rooted, simple and yet vibrant Telugu weddings (aka Pelli) sure are a beautiful affair, especially for all the Telugu wedding rituals. Like any other wedding, Telugu weddings also have a host of important and beautiful rituals. Of course, it can get a little confusing and daunting as to how to go about them in the correct fashion. Also, what to do when is also rather important.

If you are someone planning your Telugu wedding or whether you are someone attending one it’s always better to be sure of the rituals that are going to take place. As someone planning it, it is rather easy to get confused about the rituals hence it’s better to confirm how to go about them. On the other hand as someone attending the wedding, knowing about the rituals can help you better decide on outfits for each event. Especially if you are someone hailing from North India, it sure can be something totally new so knowing a bit beforehand would be a great idea. So here’s a low down on how to go about Telugu weddings, right from the pre-wedding to the wedding ceremony and all that comes in between. Read on to know more about the wonderful rituals of Telugu weddings.

The technicalities and the smaller details sure can vary from family to family but this here is what the basic structure is.

Here’s all you need to know about Telugu wedding rituals.

1. Nichayatartham

To kickstart the wedding festivities, it’s of course essential for the two families to make it official. Much like the Roka ceremony we do in North India, Nischayatartham is basically the engagement ceremony where the union of the boy and girl is officially announced. It is also on this particular event when the wedding day and time or Muhuratam as they call it, is decided on. Much like the Sagan function, the bride too is adorned with jewellery from her in-laws on this day and gifts are exchanged.

2. Pelli Kuthuru

From here on most events happen closer to the day of the marriage. Next on the Telugu wedding rituals list is Pelli Kuthuru. It is the same as the Haldi ceremony which mostly happens at the respective houses of both parties involved. All relatives get together and apply Haldi and oils to both the bride and groom.

3. Snakatham

After the previous rituals of the Telugu wedding, the Snakatham ceremony takes place which is highly symbolic. This ceremony involves the groom taking a ritualistic bath and wearing a silver thread on his body, symbolizing his transition from bachelorhood to responsible family life. The Snakatham ceremony marks a significant milestone in the wedding proceedings and represents the groom’s readiness to take on the responsibilities of marriage and family. It is a meaningful and poignant moment in the Telugu wedding and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the community.

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Telugu Wedding Rituals and Traditions

4. Kashi Yatra

The Kashi Yatra is a significant and symbolic ritual in South Indian weddings that dates back to traditional practices. Historically, upon completion of their studies, men would become Sanyasis (renunciates) and go on a pilgrimage to Kashi (also known as Varanasi), one of the holiest cities in India. In modern times, the groom playacts a similar scenario, pretending to lose interest in getting married and instead announcing his desire to embark on a journey to Kashi.

As per the ritual, the father of the bride intervenes and persuades the groom to consider marriage as a life-long journey and an essential part of a fulfilling life. The father of the bride then offers his daughter’s hand in marriage, and the groom accepts, signifying his willingness to take on the responsibilities of a husband.

This ritual is a beautiful and meaningful way to honour cultural traditions and emphasize the importance of family and marriage. It reflects the idea that marriage is not just a union between two individuals but also between two families, who share a bond that extends beyond the couple themselves. The Kashi Yatra ritual is one of the many wonderful traditions that make South Indian weddings so unique and special.

5. Mangala Snanam

The Mangala Snanam ceremony is an essential ritual in South Indian weddings, and it can take place on multiple occasions, both before and on the wedding day. It is common for people to combine the Pelli Kuthuru (Turmeric ceremony) and Mangala Snanam on the same day, where the turmeric paste applied to the bride and groom during the Pelli Kuthuru is washed off by splashing water mixed with turmeric.

The Mangala Snanam ceremony symbolizes the purification of the body, mind, and soul of the couple before they embark on their new journey together. It is a way to cleanse them of all negativity and prepare them for the auspicious occasion of their wedding. This ritual is a beautiful and meaningful way to honour cultural traditions and emphasize the importance of personal and spiritual purity. By partaking in the Mangala Snanam ceremony, the couple is demonstrating their respect for the ancient practices and customs that have been passed down for generations in South Indian weddings.

6. Gauri Puja

Following the Mangala Snanam ceremony, the Telugu bride wears her wedding saree for the first time and performs the Gauri Puja. This ritual is of great significance as it honours the goddess Gauri, who is revered as the embodiment of fertility and motherhood. The bride seeks the blessings of the goddess for a fruitful and prosperous married life.

After the completion of the Gauri Puja, the bride’s family proceeds to the groom’s house where the Mandap is usually set up. It is a unique and beautiful tradition that signifies the joining of two families, and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the couple. The Mandap serves as the sacred space where the wedding rituals take place and where the couple is united in holy matrimony. The Gauri Puja is an integral part of the Telugu wedding ceremony, and it highlights the deep-rooted cultural traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

7. Ganesha Puja

In the Telugu wedding ceremony, the Mandap holds great significance, and it is customary for the groom to perform the Ganesh Puja before the bride enters. This ritual signifies the importance of seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, for a smooth and auspicious wedding ceremony.

8. Terasala

In the Telugu wedding, the Jeelakara Bellam ritual holds great significance, and it is customary for the bride and groom not to look at each other until it is complete. This ritual involves mixing cumin and jaggery and applying it to each other’s hands, symbolizing the inseparable bond of marriage.

9. Kanyadanam

In Telugu weddings, the Kanyadanam ritual is a sacred and heartfelt ceremony. Before lifting the veil, the bride’s parents perform a ritual washing of the groom’s feet as a gesture of respect and humility. Then, the parents place their daughter’s hand into the groom’s, and in the ceremony known as Panigraham, the groom promises to be a lifelong companion to their daughter. This beautiful tradition signifies the joining of two families and the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s lives. The Kanyadanam ritual is a poignant and emotional moment in the Telugu wedding ceremony, emphasizing the importance of love, commitment, and family values.

10. Jeellakara Bellam

Jeellakara means cumin and Bellam is jaggery. During the ceremony, the bride and groom are handed a paste of cumin and jaggery in a betel leaf. This mix is something both of them place on one another’s heads after the curtain has been removed. This is the point where they can be finally pronounced man and wife.

11. Mangalsutra Dharna

Doused in turmeric and with two attached gold pendants, the mangal sutra used in Telugu weddings is made of a yellow thread. This the groom ties around his bride’s neck. It is also important that he ties three knots to secure it. The three knots are symbolic of the mental, physical and spiritual bond between the bride and groom.

12. Talambralu

This is one of the fun rituals of the wedding. Both the bride and groom shower one another with rice mixed in with turmeric. The first three times the ritual is done properly, however, post that it becomes a game. Just like the var mala competition here too the family and friends get involved. They prevent the other one from showering more rice on them. Once that is done, the bride and groom seal the deal with Varmala and Gath Bandhan. While this happens certain Telugu wedding songs are also played in the background which is an important element too.

13. Sthalipaka

In this particular ceremony, the maternal uncle of the bride adorns her toe’s second finger with a silver toe ring. This is pretty similar to the Choora ceremony except it happens towards the end of the wedding. A fun game of finding the ring from a pot of milk happens after this ceremony.

14. Arundhati Nakashtram

Lastly, to finalise the wedding, the priest helps the groom see the Arundhati and Vashisth stars in the sky. The groom then also points it out for the bride to see. It is auspicious to look at those stars because Arundhanti and Vashishth are the ideal couples.

This sums up all you needed to know about Telugu wedding traditions. We hope this preps you and helps you for the next Telugu wedding you attend. If it’s your own wedding, this makes life easier. Let us know what you think! For more on wedding planning get in touch with us at Styl Inc. and our team of experts will take care of the rest.

Dive Deeper:
1. Everything you need to know about Bengali wedding rituals
2. Maharashtrian wedding rituals
3. Planning to have an arya samaj wedding here all you need to know about it

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