Telugu Wedding Rituals and Traditions

Pre-Wedding Rituals:

• Pendikoothuru: The Pendikoothuru ceremony is performed by the bride’s family. Married women from the bride’s maternal side apply a paste made of turmeric, oil, and water on her body, symbolizing auspiciousness and beautification.
• Snathakam: This ritual involves the groom’s family adorning him with a sacred thread, called the “Janthara,” which signifies his transition into adulthood and prepares him for married life.
• Kashi Yatra: In this light-hearted ritual, the groom pretends to renounce worldly pleasures and announces his intention to become a sanyasi (ascetic). The bride’s brother then convinces him to choose married life, and the groom returns to the wedding venue.
• Mangala Snaanam: Both the bride and groom separately take ceremonial baths with turmeric and oil, signifying purification and the beginning of their wedding preparations.

Wedding Rituals:

• Ganesh Puja: The wedding ceremony typically begins with a Ganesh Puja, where Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, is invoked for blessings and to ensure the smooth conduct of the wedding rituals.
• Kanyadaan: The bride’s father performs the Kanyadaan, where he gives away his daughter’s hand in marriage to the groom, symbolizing the entrustment of his daughter’s responsibility to the groom.
• Mangalsutra and Jeelakarra Bellam: The groom ties the Mangalsutra, a sacred necklace, around the bride’s neck as a symbol of their marital bond. They then apply a mixture of cumin seeds (jeelakarra) and jaggery (bellam) on each other’s heads, signifying their inseparable union.
• Tying of the Thali: The groom ties the Thali, a sacred thread with a gold pendant, around the bride’s neck. This act formalizes their marital bond and signifies that the bride is now married.
• Saptapadi: The couple takes seven steps around the sacred fire (Agni) while making seven promises to each other, representing their commitment and mutual responsibilities as life partners.
• Akshata and Arundhati Darshan: The couple seeks blessings from their elders and the sacred star Arundhati, symbolizing a harmonious and prosperous married life.
• Muhurtham: The sacred moment when the couple is officially pronounced as husband and wife, and they seek blessings from the elders and guests.

Post-Wedding Rituals:

• Grihapravesham: The couple arrives at the groom’s house, where the bride is welcomed by the groom’s mother. She holds a plate with seven small heaps of rice, which the bride kicks over with her right foot, symbolizing the entrance of good luck and prosperity into her new home.
• Appagintalu: This is a playful ceremony where the groom’s sisters and female relatives playfully tease the bride and demand gifts or money from the groom as a token of their affection.
• Reception: A grand reception is often held to celebrate the union of the couple. Relatives, friends, and well-wishers are invited to congratulate the newlyweds and participate in the joyous celebration.

Other Traditions:

Telugu weddings also include various cultural practices like the exchange of gifts, traditional music and dance performances (such as the Kuchipudi dance), elaborate feasts with traditional cuisine, and vibrant decorations.