Telugu Wedding is accomplished strictly in
accordance with the age old customs and traditions. For this reason, it even
bears resemblance with Hindu and Tamil weddings. The functions and rituals of
Telugu Weddings are considered to be complete only when women participate in
them. They give utmost respect to women and consider women as an equal to men
when it comes to marriages and family life. She is referred to as the
ardhangini or the better half of her husband. A decent number of ceremonies and
traditions are included in a Telugu wedding. Each of the ceremonies has
religious hugeness and bears association with each other. They are partitioned
into three gatherings pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding customs.
First and foremost the Muhurtam ritual
takes place, in which the auspicious time is decided for conducting the
wedding. Next is Pendlikoothuru ritual, wherein oil and turmeric is applied to
the bride, after which she is given a bath. After this the Snathakam ritual is
observed, as per which a silver thread is worn by the groom. This is followed
by the fun filled ritual of Kashi Yatra, as per which the groom pretends to
leave for Kashi but he is interrupted by the bride's brother, who promises to
give him his sister in the alliance.
On the day of the wedding, the bride and
the groom perform the Mangala Snaanam ritual, in which they take holy purifying
bath. After the bath, they are anointed with oil and traditional aarti is
performed. Following this is Gauri puja, which is done by the bride to seek the
blessings of Mother Goddess. After this, the groom performs Ganesh puja in the
mandap at the wedding venue, before marriage and requests the Lord to remove
all obstacles.
In the mandap, the bride is brought by her
maternal uncle. The couple has a curtain between them as the priest recited
mantras. After this, the Kanyadaan ritual is performed by the father of the
bride. He washes the feet of the groom and gives his daughter to him. The
curtain is removed at the time of tying the Mangalsutra ritual.
The groom ties a mangalsutra around the
bride's neck with thee knots. After this the couple exchanges garlands and are
showered by flowers and yellow colored rice. This is called Kanya Daan Akshata
ceremony. Next, the Saptapadi ritual takes place, wherein the couple takes
seven rounds and vows around the sacred fire. Subsequently, the groom slips
silver toe rings on bride's feet. This ritual is called Sthaalipaakam.
After the wedding ceremonies are over, the
bride leaves for her marital house, along with the groom. On reaching the
groom's house, the newlywed couple is welcomed by his parents. The bride enters
the house for the first time, which is called the Grihapravesh ceremony.
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