Niśchitārtham >•

Niśchitārtham means "engagement". The two families meet to perform rituals to make the engagement official. A muhūrtaṃ (auspicious date & time) for the wedding is decided based on their horoscopes. The Telugu people generally avoid the months or a time period where Aashaadham, Bhadrapadam and Shunya maasam occurs, because they are considered inauspicious for the ceremonies. The couple are then blessed by elders of both families, and are given gifts including jewelry and clothing by their new family. During this ceremony, the bride's future mother-in-law presents her with clothes, gold and also silverware.

Pelli Koduku/ Kuthuru and Kurallu >•

In this ceremony, all the relatives and well-wishers gather at the bride and groom's respective houses and they smear Nalugu- a mixture of turmeric, flour and oils, as per the muhurtham (auspicious time) on the bride/ groom. This is done to cleanse their skin, so that it radiates a natural glow after they bathe. After this the bride/ groom and their Thodi Pellikuthuru/ Thodi Pellikoduku take Mangala Snanam (holy shower) followed by Hārati. Henceforth, the bride is told not to go out of town until the actual wedding ceremony.

Maṅgala Snānaṃ>•

The wedding day starts with Maṅgaḷa Snānaṃ custom, where the bride and groom are required to take an auspicious bath. The aim is to purify them and make them prepared to perform sacred rites. This bath is called Abhyangana Snānam. They are given a new set of clothing to wear and are blessed that everything goes by well in the preparation ahead.

Mangala Aarti or Hārati >•

After Mangala Snanam, the family members perform Aarti. They pray for the bride and groom to be granted the wisdom to lead their lives happily

Gauri Pūja >•

Before the wedding ceremony, the bride performs the Gowri pooja, conducted at her house with all her family members and relatives. It is during this time that Pravara a ritual of changing the bride's gotram (clan) from her paternal gotram to that of the groom, is performed. Elderly couples from both families are required to attend and witness the Pravara while the bride is performing Gauri Pūja

Groom Entry- Edurukolu and Kāśī Yātra >•

On the arrival of groom and his family to the wedding venue, the bride's parents and family receive and welcome them with a spectacular gaiety amidst traditional music of Nadaswaram. This ritual is called Edurukolu.

the groom is eligible for higher studies and eligible to go to Kashi and study further or become a Sanyasi. However, as a pre-wedding ceremony, the groom pretends to go to Kashi and says that he has discarded the worldly pleasures (such as marriage, relations and properties) and is no longer interested in leading a family life. He is then stopped by the brother (or cousin) of the bride, who persuades him to assume the responsibility of a household or Grihastha and return to the mandapam for marriage.

Ganēśa Puja>•

The wedding ceremony begins with the groom performing the Ganesha pooja, at the maṇḍapaṃ. These rituals are to ward off any evil and obstacles henceforth and to receive blessings for the bride & groom union.

Bride's Entry and Terasala>•

The maternal uncle and aunt, escort the bride to the mandap either in a Pallaku or walk with an intricately decorated canopy, while the priest recites the holy mantras in the background. They sit across each other with a partition Terasala made by a curtain being placed between the bride and the groom (to prevent them from looking at each other at that time).

Kanyādānaṃ>•

Kanyādānaṃ is the ceremony in which the girl's family hands over their daughter's responsibility to the groom. During the ceremony, the bride's parents wash the groom's feet, as the bridegroom is considered a personification of "Lord Vishnu" who has come to marry their daughter, who is considered as "Devi Lakshmi". This is the most noble act a father can perform.

Paṇigrahaṇaṃ>•

This means "holding hands". The groom holds the hand of the bride. The groom is made to chant Dharmēca, Arthēca, Kamēcha, Mokshēca Nāti Carāmi three times and assure the bride's father three times that he will remain her companion in joy and sorrow forever. It translates to "Righteously, financially, by desire, spiritually, I will not walk away from her".

Jīlakarra Bellaṃ>•

The priest recites the ślokaṃs from the Vedas. Then the couple are asked to place a paste made from cumin seeds and jaggery on each other’s head. This custom is referred to as Jīlakarra-Bellamu. This ceremony is observed to communicate that the married couple's relationship is unbreakable and they are inseparable. This takes place at the actual muhūrtaṃ, and the couple officially become united as husband and wife, as the curtain between them is removed. The ritual (Pravara) of changing bride's gotram is once again performed on the marriage dais, in the presence of the groom and everyone attending the ceremony. The elders bless the couple with Akshintalu while the younger ones congratulate them.

Maṅgaḷasūtra Dhāraṇa>•

Maṅgaḷasūtra Dhāraṇa means tying Maṅgaḷasūtraṃ (holy thread). The groom ties the string Maṅgaḷasūtraṃ, with two golden discs Sutrams (one from her family and the other spouse's), around the bride's neck, in three knots. The three knots signify the grooms acceptance of the bride in Thoughts (Manasa), Speech (Vacha) and Actions (Karmana). The ritual signifies the complete union of the couple- physically, mentally and spiritually.

Akshintalu or Talambralu>•

In the Talaṃbrālu (rice mixed with turmeric) ceremony, the bride and groom pour this rice mixture over each other's head like a shower and is made to be a fun event, sort of an icebreaker for the bride and groom. Married people witnessing this occasion come forward to bless the couple, by sprinkling flower petals and rice coated with turmeric powder.

Then the bride and groom exchange garlands or Dandalu accepting each other as life partners.

Brahma Mudi and Nalla Pusalu >•

Brahma Mudi is conducted by knotting in betel nuts, dried dates, turmeric twig, betel leaf and coins loosely to the bride's pallu (saree end) and groom's Kanḍuva (scarf end). Then these two ends are tied together by sister of the groom, indicating that they should maintain good relations with both the families.

In order to ward-off the evil eye, the groom's maternal uncle and aunt bring a string of black beads or Nalla Pusalu and hand to the groom to adorn the bride with it.

Nagavalli and Saptapadi>•

As a part of the Saptapadi rituals, the groom and bride walk together seven steps around the sacred fire or Homam, while taking their oaths to nourish each other, to grow together in strength, to preserve their wealth, to share joys and sorrows, to care for each other, to care for children and parents, to remain life long friends. With the Saptapadi, the marriage is complete as per the Vedic scriptures.

Sthālīpākaṃ>•

Sthālīpākaṃ is a ritual where in the groom adorns the feet of the bride with silver mattelu toe rings. It is also believed that the man bends to the woman in order to claim her as his. The nalla pusalu, along with the mattelu, symbolize that she is a married woman.

Pradhanam>•

After this, a kunḍa (decorated silver or terra-cotta pot) full of water is placed in front of the couple, and a ring is put in it. The groom puts his right hand in and the bride puts her left hand in and they fish for the ring. They do this three times and whoever wins more often is supposed to be the dominant one in the marriage. This is a time of fun, with chants and shouts of support from both sides. Also, the bride is made to cook (a namesake meal) on the sacred flame of the Agnihōtraṃ, symbolizing she is now responsible for taking care of the health of her husband and family.

Arundhati Nakshatram>•

Arundhati Nakshatram is a ritual where bride and groom are shown the stars representing Arundhati and Vasistha. These stars represent the perfect couple complementing each other. Mizar and Alcor are two stars forming a double star that can be seen with the naked eye in the handle of the Big Dipper (or the Plough) asterism in the constellation of Ursa Major. Mizar is the second star from the end of the Big Dipper's handle, and Alcor its faint companion. Alcor is recognized as Arundhadi.

Appagintalu >•

Appagintalu takes place at the end of the wedding. This is when the bride is traditionally handed off to the groom and his family.

Gr̥uhapravēśam>•

After the culmination of the wedding ceremony, the bride is formally taken to the groom’s house. This is called Gr̥hapravēśam of the bride. As she steps into her new home, she is welcomed by the groom’s family members, including his mother and closest relatives. A vessel of rice is placed at the door. After giving harathi to the couple, the mother-in-law asks the bride to gently push the vessel with her right leg. The scattered rice symbolizes the prosperity which the bride brings with her.

In karanam caste, the consummation takes place depending on tidhi, usually after a gap of one day. Havan puja is performed before the time fixed for physical consummation of the marriage.

Satyanārāyaṇa Vratam>•

Satyam means "truth" and Narayana means "the highest being" so Satyanārāyaṇa means "The highest being who is an embodiment of Truth". The Satyanārāyaṇa Vratam is very popular in Andhra Pradesh India. Satyanārāyaṇa Vratam is performed by bride and groom after Gr̥hapravēśam in the groom's residence, the next morning. This pūja (ritual) is first mentioned in the Skanda Purana, Reva Kanḍa by Sūta Mahāmuni to the r̥shis in the Naimisharaṇya (ancient forest). The details are part of the Katha ("story") that is usually read after the pūja.

Uniting the Maṅgaḷasūtraṃ>•

Gr̥uhapravēśam is followed by a ceremony, wherein the Maṅgaḷasūtraṃ is united. As a customary, the Telugu speaking people unite the two Maṅgaḷasūtraṃs (which was tied by the groom around the bride’s neck), on a common thread. This ritual is done sixteen days after the wedding. This ritual can be performed by either the groom or an elderly member of the family. A few black or golden beads are slipped between the two 'plates' of the Maṅgaḷasūtraṃ, so that they do not clash with each other. The unison of Maṅgaḷasūtraṃ signifies the harmony between the two families. After the ceremony is over, the bride takes a bath and wears a new sari.

These r the rituals done in wedding

Here all the pre, post wedding rituals are mentioned...

Finally 1764 words...

Happy reading my dear butterflies

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