Pellikuthuru & Pellikoduku
Turmeric gold, a blessing on the skin.
At their own homes, bride and groom are anointed with a paste of turmeric and oil by loving hands. It purifies, protects against ill fortune, and leaves them glowing for the days ahead.
Mehndi
Love, written in henna.
Intricate henna is drawn across the bride's hands and feet as the women of both families gather. The deeper the stain, the old saying goes, the deeper the love that awaits her.
Sangeetham
The night both families dance as one.
The evening of music before the vows. Choreographed performances, songs and laughter fill the hall as two families become one big, joyful crowd on the dance floor.
Mangala Snanam
A sacred bath at first light.
At dawn on the wedding day, bride and groom take a holy, purifying bath — readying body, mind and soul before stepping into the ceremony.
Ganesha & Gauri Puja
First, we ask the gods.
The groom prays to Lord Ganesha to clear every obstacle; the bride worships Goddess Gauri for a blessed married life. No auspicious act begins without them.
Kashi Yatra
The playful path back to love.
In a beloved bit of theatre, the groom pretends to renounce the world and set off for Kashi — until the bride's father lovingly stops him and convinces him that a shared life is the higher calling.
Kanyadaanam
A father places her hand in his.
One of the most tender moments. The bride's parents wash the groom's feet — honouring him as Vishnu, their daughter as Lakshmi — then give her hand to him, trusting him to love and protect her for life.
Jeelakarra Bellam
Bitter and sweet, bound forever.
At the exact muhurtham, separated by a curtain, the couple place a paste of cumin and jaggery on each other's heads. Bitter and sweet, ground inseparably together — many families hold this as the very instant the marriage takes effect.
Mangalya Dharanam
Three knots, one lifetime.
The groom ties the sacred thali — a turmeric-yellow thread of gold and black beads — around the bride's neck with three knots, for unity in thought, word and deed. The nadaswaram swells and the whole hall erupts in blessing.
Talambralu
A joyful rain of blessings.
The couple shower each other's heads with turmeric rice, pearls and petals. The first three times are solemn — after that it becomes a laughing contest, both families cheering their side to pour more.
Saptapadi
Seven steps, seven vows, around the fire.
The most sacred rite. Hand in hand, the couple takes seven steps around the holy fire — vows of nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, children, health and lifelong friendship. After the seventh step, they are truly married.
Arundhati Nakshatram
Two stars, one destiny.
The groom points out the twin stars Arundhati and Vasishtha in the night sky — a devoted celestial couple held up as the model for the marriage the two have just begun.
Appaginthalu
The tender farewell.
The bride dips her hands in milk as her family formally entrusts her to her new one. Then she leaves with her husband — the most emotional moment of all, as parents and daughter say goodbye with full hearts.