Telugus or Andhra’s
have a rich legacy and history of migrating and exploring new
places, inland and maritime. Despite this, it is not surprising
that this community has defined and influenced not only the economics
and politics, but also of the socio-political and economic structures
of the homeland, Andhra Pradesh. Despite massive migration taking
place, ocean currents have always helped the Telugu to transport
the inherent Telugu culture, rituals, the language, values, beliefs,
traditions and practices. No wonder then that Telugu matrimonials,
whether in India or round the world, imbibe within themselves
many similar rituals followed in the Indian matrimonial alliances.
The Telugu matrimonial alliance between two parties is got into,
only if the horoscope of the boy and girl match. The Patrika or
a written contract is gotten into, whereby both the parties promise
in writing, of the matrimonial alliance in the future.
The ‘Nisachaithartum’ or ‘Pradhanum’ is
the Telugu engagement. Like in every Indian matrimonial ceremony
of the engagement, the bridegroom arrives at the bride's home.
Large numbers of his relatives accompany him along with shehnai
players. The groom’s family gifts fruits, jewelry, saris
to the bride. In many Reddy families the groom does not accompany
his family members during the engagement. The bride changes into
the sari given to her and a pooja is performed.
The anointing of the bride and the groom with oil and turmeric
before the ritual matrimonial bath is known as the ‘Pendlikoothuru’.
This takes place at their respective houses. After this ceremony,
the couple wears new clothes. The matrimonial ritual bath taken
by the couple is known as the ‘Paindlipilla’ or ‘Haldipaspu’
in Telugu. The ‘Paindlipilla’ or ‘Haldipaspu’
also involves the dressing up of the Telugu bride and takes place
on the morning of the wedding day. The bride-to-be adorns flowers
in her hair. The forehead is marked with a bindi or a vermilion
dot. Like every other bride who gets ready for the matrimonial
ceremony, the bride wears bangles on her wrists. The Telugu pre
- matrimonial ritual bath 'Mangal Snahne' and beautification of
the bride is just like the ritual bath in every other Indian pre
- matrimonial ceremony. The Sumangalis (five, nine or eleven married
ladies) perform a pooja which is small, to drive away the evil
eye (dhristi). This is followed by an aarti. The Bride is then
dressed up in a fine new sari and jewelry. The bride then hands
her mother a paldaan (betel leaf, nut and fruits) and touches
her feet to take her blessings and to show respect.
Once the pre - matrimonial ceremony for the bride is over, the
‘Vara Puja’ takes place. This pooja is performed in
honour of the groom. The groom receives lavish gifts like clothes,
money, a gold chain, a gold ring from the bride’s parents.
Another pre - matrimonial ceremony that is performed by the Telugu
is the ‘Snathakam’. This ritual is performed at the
bridegroom's house before the muhurtam and involves a sort of
thread ceremony, wherein the groom is made to wear a silver thread
on his body.
