A wedding is a very special celebration full of mirth, happiness, good natured traditions and customs that has been followed since ages. Telugu marriage is no different, with celebrations laced with varied ceremonies and rituals commencing few days prior to the actual wedding day. Telugu people are simple and their customs, traditions and rituals are unique and enjoyable with equal emphasis on religious celebrations and fun filled customs for both bride and groom’s family.
In traditional, it’s the elder person of the family who tries to make a match between the prospective bride and groom within the caste and community. The maternal uncle or the brother of the bride has a very important role to play from the bride’s side during marriage. The main customs that highlight the Telugu wedding ceremony are Muhurtam, Pendlikoothru, Gauri Pooja, Kanyadaan, Manglasutra and Saptapadi. The Telugu wedding customs begins with Mangala Snaanam or Pendlikoothru where both the bride and groom have to take auspicious bath smeared with a paste of oil and turmeric carried out in their respective home. Both the families then perform aarti praying God to bless the bride and groom for a successful life ahead. Before the actual wedding a Gowri and Ganesh puja is held at the mandapam. One of the essential Hindu wedding rituals Kanyadaan follows with the girl’s family handing her hand to the groom for the rest of her life. The bride is brought to the mandap by her maternal uncle as she sits in a bamboo basket. Until the custom of Kanyadaan is performed, the bride and groom are refrained from seeing each other with a curtain as a partition. The bride’s parents then wash the groom’s feet considering him god’s ‘avatar’. As the priest chants slokas, the couple performs the ritual Jeelakarra-Bellamu smearing a paste of cumin seeds and jaggery on each other’s hands. The groom ties mangalsutra around the bride’s neck. Bride and groom exchange garlands in Kanya Daan Akshata and receive blessings from elders. The bride and groom walk seven steps together around the fire as the priest chants mantras in the Saptapadi ritual. In the Sthaalipaakam ritual the groom decorates the feet of the bride with silver toe rings.
The wedding is generally a grand affair and great detailing is done while choosing the wedding dress and jewelry. Telugu Brides wears a red, maroon or some bright coloured saree on the wedding day and is ensembled with heavy jewelry making her the cynosure of all eyes. Telugu grooms wear traditional Indian dress dhoti, Kurta or Sherwani. Specialty of Telugu wedding is pachadi made from neem leaves, banana, jaggery, sugar cane and tamarind. The wedding feast also includes varieties of Rice, Sambar, Curry and Sweets.
Telugu wedding customs and traditions don’t come to an end with the wedding but continue to be performed a day after the wedding with a number of other rituals as the bride begins her new life in grooms house.
