Wedding Rituals (Pelli – పెళ్ళి)
The Sacred Union
A Telugu wedding is an age-old tradition uniting two families in a divine ceremony, where the groom is seen as a form of Lord Vishnu (or Rama) and the bride embodies Goddess Lakshmi (or Sita). The rituals performed during the ceremony are a sacred re-enactment of their union. Every ritual celebrates this balance between duty and love.
Gauri Pooja (గౌరీ పూజ – Prayer to Goddess Gauri)
Before the ceremony begins, the bride offers prayers to Goddess Gauri, seeking her blessings for a happy and harmonious married life.
Snathakam (స్నాతకం – Readiness for Marriage)
This is a ritual where the groom officially prepares for marriage by symbolically completing his student phase. It marks his readiness to take on familial responsibilities.
Kashi Yatra (కాశీ యాత్ర – Journey to Kashi)
This is a playful ritual in which the groom gets cold feet and announces his intention to renounce his worldly life and seek spiritual enlightenment. The bride's father instead persuades him to stay and embrace the responsibilities of marriage, symbolizing the balance between duty and spirituality in married life.
Kanyadaanam (కన్యాదానం – Giving Away the Bride)
In this ritual, the bride's parents place her hands into the groom's, entrusting their daughter to his care. This signifies the merging of two families in love and trust.
Jeelakarra Bellam (జీలకర్ర బెల్లం – Cumin & Jaggery Ritual)
During the sacred moment (sumuhurtham), the bride and groom place cumin seeds (bitter) and jaggery (sweet) on each other's heads as a promise to walk through the sweet and challenging moments of life together. A white cloth (thera) is held between the couple. As this veil of separation is lifted, their eyes lock for the first time as husband and wife, marking the exact moment of their marriage.
Mangalsutra Dharanam (మంగళసూత్ర ధారణ – Tying the Sacred Thread)
The groom ties the mangalsutra (sacred necklace) around the bride's neck in three knots, each representing his promise to protect, honor, and stand by her throughout life.
Saptapadi (సప్తపది – Seven Steps)
The bride and groom take seven sacred steps together around the ritual fire. Each step is a vow they make as they begin life together:
- To care for each other's health.
- To build strength in body, mind, and spirit.
- To work together for prosperity.
- To share love and respect in raising a family.
- To live in harmony and trust.
- To stand by each other through joy and hardship.
- To remain lifelong companions and true partners.
Talambralu (తాళంబ్రాలు – Showering of Rice)
The bride and groom shower rice on each other as family and friends join in, blessing their marriage with happiness, prosperity, and playful joy.
Arundhati Nakshatram (అరుంధతి నక్షత్రం – Finding the Twin Stars)
After the wedding ceremony, the couple is guided to look up at the twin stars Arundhati and Vasishta. This cluster of stars uniquely revolve around each other, symbolizing an ideal marriage—equal partners who walk side by side with mutual respect and love.
Appaginthalu (అప్పగింతలు – Sending Off the Bride)
In the final moments, the bride's family formally sends her to the groom's home, symbolizing her transition into a new chapter of life. It reflects both the love of her family and the trust placed in the couple as they begin their journey together.