A very interesting
pre - matrimonial ceremony performed by the Telugu community is
the ‘Kashi Yatra’. The groom pretends to leave for
Kashi (a pilgrimage center). The bride’s brother then stops
him and convinces the groom to fulfill his responsibilities as
a householder. Once the groom is convinced, the oldest member
of the bride's family applies kumkum on the groom's forehead,
garlands him and escorts him to the marriage venue in a decorated
car ‘Vivaham’ (Muhurtam). At the venue of the Telugu
wedding ceremony the groom performs the Ganesh Pooja. By worshipping
Ganesha, all obstacles that may stop the matrimony are warded
away. The actual matrimonial ceremony is a very important ceremony
in the Telugu community and is known as the ‘Kankana Shastra’.
The bride is led into the mandap and the groom ties the second
Kankan on her wrist. The priest ties the first Kankan on the groom’s
hand, on his arrival. The Telugu wedding ceremony also involves
seven pheras like in other Indian matrimonials.
The matrimonial ceremony of ‘Kanyadan’ or giving away
of the bride to the groom is a very emotional ceremony for the
bride and her parents. As two pujaris recite Vedic chants, a coconut
is placed on the bride's palms. Her father gently holds the bride’s
palms and places them on to the groom's palms. The bride's mother
pours water from a silver vessel on the father's palms signifying
that the bride’s parents have now “washed” parental
authority over their daughter, with this gesture.
The groom then ties two flat pieces of inscribed gold pendants
strung on a cord dipped in turmeric. This is composed of 108 very
fine threads closely twisted together, on the bride's neck, in
acceptance of the bride. This Telugu matrimonial 'Taali' is tied
round the bride’s neck with three knots. Exchange of garlands
takes place.
The marriage ceremony over, the bride is taken to the groom's
home for Griha Pravesh (entering the house for the first time).
It is now time for post - matrimonial ceremonies. The matrimonial
reception is not a traditional ritual in the Telugu community,
but has become a common feature in many homes and can be as simple
or as elaborate as desired. It is often held at the 'Kalyana Mandap'
(wedding hall) where the wedding might have been held. The reception
can also be held in a five star hotel or club. Cocktails and music
accompany dinner.
In the final post - matrimonial ceremony, the two Mangalsutras
(Taali which was tied round the bride’s neck, on the wedding
by her husband) are united on a common thread 16 days after the
actual matrimonial ceremony. An elder member of the family or
the husband himself can unite the two mangalsutras. The bride
takes a bath and wears a new sari before wearing the mangalsutra
on this day. A few black or golden beads are slipped between the
two plates (taalis) so that they do not clash with each other.
This symbolizes harmony between the two families that have been
adjoined in this matrimonial alliance.
