Telugu Wedding Rituals & Program
PRE-WEDDING RITUALS
There are several pre-wedding rituals that are traditionally observed in a Telugu wedding. Some of these rituals include:
Nischitartham: This is the formal engagement ceremony where the families of the bride and groom exchange gifts and agree on the wedding date.
Pellikuthuru: This is a ceremony where the bride and groom's families perform a ritualistic bath and apply turmeric and sandalwood paste on the bride and groom.
Snatakam: This is a ceremony where the groom is given a sacred thread by his family, which signifies his readiness to get married.
Kaapu Kattu: This is a ceremony where the families of the bride and groom tie a sacred thread to a tree to seek the blessings of the gods for a successful wedding.
Mangala Snaanam: This is a purification ceremony where the bride and groom take a ceremonial bath before the wedding.
Aarthi: This is a ceremony where the mother of the bride performs an aarti to ward off evil spirits and bless the couple.
Sangeet: This is a musical ceremony where the families of the bride and groom come together to sing and dance in celebration of the upcoming wedding.
Mehndi: This is a ceremony where the bride's hands and feet are decorated with henna designs.
Haldi: This is a ceremony where the bride and groom are smeared with a turmeric paste for purification.
Bride's Dressing Ceremony: This is a ceremony where the bride is dressed in her wedding attire and jewelry by her female relatives.
These pre-wedding rituals are an integral part of Telugu weddings and are observed with great enthusiasm and joy by the families of the bride and groom.
WEDDING RITUALS
The following is a general list of steps for a traditional Telugu wedding ceremony:
Pendlikoothuru - This ceremony involves the bride and groom's families exchanging gifts and the bride's hands and feet being decorated with henna.
Snathakam - The groom's family performs this ceremony where he is given a sacred thread to wear symbolizing his readiness for marriage.
Kashi Yatra - The groom pretends to leave for the city of Kashi to live as an ascetic, but is stopped by the bride's brother who convinces him to marry his sister.
Mangala Snaanam - The bride and groom take a purifying bath before the wedding.
Gauri Puja - The bride worships Goddess Gauri, seeking her blessings for a happy married life.
Kanyadaan - The bride's father gives her hand in marriage to the groom, symbolizing his acceptance of the groom as his son-in-law.
Jeelakarra Bellamu - The bride and groom apply a paste made of cumin and jaggery on each other's heads, symbolizing their union.
Madhuparkam - The bride wears a white and gold saree while the groom wears a white dhoti with a red border.
Sumangali Puja - The bride performs a puja for the well-being of married women and seeks their blessings.
Mangalya Dharanam - The groom ties a sacred thread around the bride's neck, signifying their marriage.
Akshintalu - The couple exchange garlands.
Saptapadi - The couple takes seven vows while circling a sacred fire, symbolizing their lifelong commitment to each other.
Talambralu - The couple showers each other with rice, symbolizing their willingness to share the good and bad in life.
Appagintalu - The groom's parents welcome the bride into their family by performing a ceremony and giving her gifts.
Sankalpam - The couple seeks the blessings of the Gods and promises to live together for life.
Haridra Ganapathi Puja - The couple seeks the blessings of Lord Ganesha for a happy married life.
Arundhati Darshanam - The couple sees the star Arundhati and seeks blessings for a long and happy married life.
Satyanarayana Puja - The couple performs a puja for the prosperity and well-being of their family.
Reception - The wedding ceremony concludes with a reception where the couple's families and friends come together to celebrate their marriage.
It's important to note that some of these steps may vary depending on the specific traditions and customs of the families involved in the wedding.