There are many customs and traditions that Telugu marriage includes to honor the gods and bless the newlyweds during their wedding. A series of pre-wedding customs are carried out in which both the families of the couple and a long list of guests participate. Take a look at some of the interesting ceremonies that take place before kanyadanam in the course of a Telugu wedding.
1. The compromise or Nischitaartham
Today, the Nischitaartham is held a few months before the wedding. Once the arranged marriage is decided, the date of the marriage is set so that the couple can meet at the time of courtship. This prenuptial ritual is where the couple is officially engaged in the presence of their families. In South India, this ceremony begins with a Ganapati Puja to seek the blessings of the gods. The promises are taken by the parents of the bride and groom in an alliance proposal.
two. The thread ceremony or Snathakam
Just before the muhurtham, this custom ensures that the eligible man wears a sacred silver thread on his torso. It takes place in a temple or in the groom’s house and is attended by all his relatives.
3. Set the marriage date or the Muhurtham
When both families agree, the union moves forward and the wedding date is set. The Muhurtham is considered to mutually agree on an auspicious date. Telugu marriages avoid the period of Aashad and Bhadrapada, as well as Shunya according to the Hindu calendar.
Four. The Haldi
The ritual involves the application of scented oils and haldi to the couple. This ceremony is carried out separately in each of their homes where they are anointed with turmeric by all their relatives. Then there is a bathroom, after which they both put on new clothes. The bride-to-be usually wears a golden-edged saree with gajra (flowers) in her hair and a bindi.
5. A Puja Aarti
After the turmeric ceremony is over, the couple’s families perform aarti in their respective homes. They ask for blessings from deities and pray for the happiness of the couple.
6. Ganesh Puja for the groom and Gauri Pujan for the bride
The groom performs the puja in honor of Lord Ganesha just before the marriage in the mandap. In another part of the wedding hall, the bride engages Gauri Pujan to seek the blessings of the deity.
7. The custom of Jyothulu and Talambralu
This is when the entire bride’s family gathers ten married women to walk with the bride. While six of them carry puja thalis with the auspicious mixture of rice, haldi and kumkum; others carry dishes with small diyas made with a mixture of rice flour that also includes sugar and milk. All of this is symbolic because it means blessing the bride with lots of food and light in her married life.
All of these ceremonies are joyfully performed by both families to ensure an auspicious start to the married life of the newlyweds.