To the eye of an outsider, a telugu pelli(Wedding) looks like an elaborate affair involving vedic chats and music emanating from Melam(traditional orchestra). However the essence of matrimonial bliss in telugu lifestyle is embedded in four simple words," Moodu mullu, Edu adugulu".

                                                     It boils down to  the bride and groom promising love,care and respect for the rest of life together. Let us  explore the traditions and customs of a rich culture that bind two souls into one, and throwback into the world of "Telugudanam"(Telugu-ness).

​

Mangala Snaanam

As a part of Mangala Snaanam custom, the bride and groom are required to take an auspicious bath on the wedding day. The aim is to purify them and make them prepared to perform sacred rites.

​

Aarti

Oil is applied to the bride and groom at their respective houses. Thereafter, the family members get together to perform Aarti. They pray to Lord to give wisdom to the bride and groom to lead their life happily.

​

Ganesh And Gowri Puja

Before the wedding ceremony, the groom attends the Ganesh pooja, which is conducted at the mandapam.
The Bride has to perform Gowri Puja

​

Kanyadaanam

Kanyadaanam is the ceremony in which the girl's family hands over their daughter's responsibility to the groom.Until the completion of the kanyadaanam, the bride and the groom are not allowed to look at each other and hence, they are separated by a curtain(Tera) that is place between them, as a partition. Thereafter, the bride's parents wash the groom's feet, assuming him as an 'avatar' of God.



Jeelakarra Bellamu & Madhuparkam

The priest recites the shlokas from the Vedas. Thereafter, the couple is asked to smear a paste made from cumin seeds and jaggery on each other's hands. This custom is referred to as Jeelakarra-Bellamu. This ceremony is observed to communicate that the relationship of the married couple is unbreakable and inseparable.

As a part of Madhuparkam ritual, the bride dresses up in white cotton sari with red border. On the other hand, the groom wears white dhoti with red border. White is the color for purity and red is for strength.



Sumangli

Ten married women (sumangalis) accompany the bride. Six out of the ten women hold plates containing a mixture of rice and turmeric powder, while the rest of the four hold small lit lamps in their respective plates. Rice represents abundance, while the lit lamps symbolize light.



Tying of the Mangalasutram

In order to perform the ritual, the partition between the bride and the groom are removed. After removing the partition, the groom ties the two strings of the mangalasutram, each with a golden disc, around the bride's neck. The mangalasutram represents the physical, mental and spiritual union of the couple. In the Telugu wedding, the groom ties three knots of mangalsutram.



Kanya Daana Akshantalu

In the Kanya Daana Akshantalu ceremony, the bride and groom exchange garlands. People witnessing this occasion come forward to bless the couple, by sprinkling flower petals and rice coated with turmeric powder.



Edu Adugulu

As a part of the Saptapadi ritual, the groom and bride walk seven steps together around the fire, while chanting mantras. When the pheras are conducted, the pallu of bride's sari is tied to one end of the groom's dhoti.



Sthaalipaakam

Sthaalipaakam is a ritual wherein the groom adorns the feet of the bride with silver toe rings. In order to ward-off the evil eye, she is asked to wear a string of black beads during the ceremony.

​

Arundhati Nakshatra Darshanam
The bridal couple is then taken to see "Arundhati Nakshtram" (celestial star named Arundhati) to inspire the bride to lead a glorious and virtuous life like Goddess "Arundhati".