Wedding traditions
Telugu wedding traditions and how to plan them
A Telugu wedding centres on the muhurtham, an auspicious time set by the priest. Before it come the nischitartham engagement and the pellikuthuru and pellikoduku rituals. During the ceremony the couple place jeelakarra bellam on each other’s heads, the groom ties the mangalsutra, they shower each other with talambralu and take the saptapadi.
A note on variation
Telugu weddings differ between families, communities and regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Your priest will set the muhurtham and the order of rituals; use this as a guide to what to plan.
Which events come before the wedding?
- Nischitartham: the engagement, when the families formally agree to the wedding.
- Pellikuthuru and pellikoduku: rituals that make the bride and groom ready for marriage, with turmeric, oil and blessings, often a day or two before.
- Snathakam: a ritual for the groom before the wedding.
- Kashi yatra: a playful ritual in which the groom sets off for a life of study and the bride’s brother persuades him to marry instead.
- Mangala snanam and Gauri puja: a ritual bath, and the bride’s prayer to Goddess Gauri before the ceremony.
What happens at the ceremony?
- Kanyadaanam: the bride’s parents give her hand. A cloth screen is often held between the couple until the muhurtham.
- Jeelakarra bellam: at the muhurtham, the couple place a paste of cumin and jaggery on each other’s heads.
- Mangalya dharana: the groom ties the mangalsutra.
- Talambralu: the couple shower each other with rice mixed with turmeric, often a lively moment.
- Saptapadi: seven steps around the fire, and often the couple are shown the Arundhati star.
- Appagintalu: the bride’s family entrust her to the groom’s family.
What should we plan with our vendors?
- Work back from the muhurtham: it may be early in the morning or late at night, which affects makeup start times, venue hours and photography.
- A decorator for the mandap and the cloth screen, and the venue’s rules on fire.
- A caterer who cooks Andhra and Telangana food, and a traditional meal on banana leaves if your family wants one.
- A photographer who knows the moment of jeelakarra bellam and the talambralu.
Frequently asked questions
What is jeelakarra bellam?
A paste of cumin seeds and jaggery that the bride and groom place on each other’s heads at the muhurtham, the auspicious moment of the ceremony.
What is talambralu?
Talambralu is when the couple shower each other with rice mixed with turmeric during the ceremony, a joyful ritual of blessing.
Why are some Telugu weddings at night or early morning?
Because the ceremony is timed to the muhurtham, an auspicious time chosen by the priest, which may fall at any hour. Ask your venue about access at that time.
Keep planning
Compare with Tamil wedding traditions, read the ceremony basics, or browse all our planning guides.