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Traditional Telugu Brahmin Marriage Ceremony
Traditional Telugu Brahmin Marriage Ceremony
the 'lagna patrika' and reads it out. Mainly the 'lagna patrika'
contains the parent's names of the bride and the groom and
the 'sumuhurtam' (the auspicious time) of marriage. 'Lagna
patrika' is a pre-requisite for printing the 'pelli subhalekhalu' or
the wedding invitation cards by either parties.
The event is followed by the mutual exchange of new clothes
by the parents of the bride and the groom and usually
depending on the affordability, the groom's parents offer
jewelry to the bride who is the prospective daughter-in-law.
Wedding costumes
Purchasing wedding saris and gold jewelry for the bride is
another important thing which is a time consuming one. A
number of silk saris / 'pattu cheeralu' and gold jewelry are
purchased for various occasions in the ceremony the cost of
which depends on the affordability. In addition to the bridal
costume, it is customary to offer 'kotta battalu' or new clothes
to the close relatives who come for the wedding ceremony. And
also new clothes and gold / silver items are purchased to offer
these to the groom and his family members particularly parents
during various occasions in the wedding ceremonial events.
Pre-wedding events
/
/making of bride and the
groom
Totalo Digadam
This is one of the most exciting events of the wedding
ceremony where the bride and the groom meet face to face
prior to the wedding. In this event all the relatives of both the
parties gather and the 'lagna patrika' / invitation card is read
out in Telugu by the priest. There is a mutual exchange of new
clothes between the bride / groom and their parents. In this
event, 'panakam' (flavored jaggery syrup) which is brought in
two new silver / steel 'panakam bindelu' or pots is distributed to
all the guests by the bride's party. Thereby these new 'panakam
bindelu' are offered to the groom's sisters (mother if no sisters).
In this event, even the 'sumuhurtam' for the auspicious event
of 'sobhanam' (nuptial) is announced. There is lot of enjoyment
and laughter that spreads the environment in this event as the
bride and the groom sit side by side and pose for pictures and
get closer to each other.
Ankurarpanam-
-Gowri Pooja
/
Panigrahanam
_Kanyadanam
-Jeelakarra
Sumuhurtham
Bellam
or
All these events take place one after the other very fast amidst
the traditional music of 'Sannai Melam' and by the time
'kanyadanam' is completed, the bride and the groom still
separated with a curtain, hold 'jeela-karra bellam' (a thick paste
made of crushed cumin seeds or jeera and jaggery) placed in
betel leaves. 'Sumuhurtham' is the most important and awaited
event of the wedding ceremony. By this time, the marriage
venue is heavy crowded with relatives and guests who gather
to witness the sacred event and bless the newly wedded
couple.
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_Mangalya Dharana
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12
Thus, the bride gets ready for Mangalya Dharana when the
groom ties the two Mangala Sutralu amidst the sacred chanting
of Mangalyam Tantunanena Mama Jeevana Hetuna' when the
sannai melam is played in fast rhythmic beat. With this sacred
event of Mangalya Dharana, the bride and the groom officially
become husband and wife as per the Hindu Marriage Act.
Finally, the groom ties a thick rope called 'yotram' made of
palm leaves round the bride's waist. This has a special
significance.
On the 16th day (16 rojula panduga), at an auspicious time, the
yellow thread from the 'sutralu' / sacred gold pendents is
removed and replaced with a gold chain.
_Talambralu
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_Gruhapravesam
_Satyanarayana Vratam
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