Telugu Wedding Customs

Telugus are from Andhra Pradesh, located in the south of India. Here is a list of the Telugu Wedding Customs

Mangala Snaanam: For the bride and the groom, their wedding day begins with an auspicious bath. The bath signifies cleansing and purifying and getting them ready for the ceremony.

Aarti: After the bath, the family members of the Telugu bride and the groom offer their prayers to God. They pray for a happy married life for the bride and the groom.

The prayers takes place individually – The bride’s family with the bride and the groom’s family with the groom.

Ganesh Pooja: The groom then offers prayers to Lord Ganesha. This puja is conducted at the mandapam.

Kashi Yatra: After the prayers, the groom pretends to leave for Kashi, to devote himself to God. He carries a walking stick and a umbrella and pretends that he is not interested in becoming a family man anymore. The bride’s brother then has to convince him to come back and fulfill his responsibilities as a householder. The bride finally agrees and returns to the mandap – lot of fun

Kanyadaan: This is the ceremony in which the girl’s family hands over their daughter’s responsibility to the groom. Until the completion of the kanyadaan, the bride and the groom are not allowed to look at each other – a curtain is placed in between them (a white cloth).

Tying of the Mangalsutra: The curtain separating the bride and the groom is removed. The groom ties the two strings of the mangalsutra around the bride’s neck. He ties three knots. The mangalsutra represents the physical, mental and spiritual union of the couple. Tying of mangalsutra signifies that the couple are now married. They then exchange garlands and all the guests bless them by sprinkling rice coated with turmeric on them.

Saptapadi: As a part of the Saptapadi ritual, the groom and bride walk seven steps together around the fire, while chanting mantras. The pallu of bride’s sari is tied to one end of the groom’s dhoti and they walk seven times around the sacred fire.

Sthaalipaakam: Sthaalipaakam is a ritual wherein the groom adorns the feet of the bride with silver toe rings.

Best,

P.S. Here is a link to my top recommendations for Telugu matrimonial sites – Telugu Matrimony.