Everything You Need To Know About The Fun-Filled Rituals Of Reddy Matrimony
Settled majorly in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, The Reddys are counted amongst the most social communities. If the history reports are to be believed, the Reddys were the warrior casts, who turned into the landed gentry in the later years. Moreover, when the Reddy Matrimonial is specifically talked about, there are a few rites and rituals that are rich with symbolism. The major emphasis is on spirituality just like how it is at Hindu weddings.
A Reddy Matrimony can happen in any month of the year, keeping aside Aashad, Bhadrapad, and Shunva. However, a Reddy marriage is a little hatke from the other South Indian weddings. The Reddy people follow certain traditions of their own and the brother and uncle of the bride have a significant role to play at the beginning of the marriage. So, let’s walk through the vibrantly divine traditions of Reddy wedding.
Pre-Wedding Rituals
1. Patrika
In a Reddy wedding, Patrika is the first and foremost ritual, which happens to be a written marriage contract between the two families involved. The contract of the wedding is out on a yellow cloth along with betel nuts, turmeric, and fruits. Along with the same, the priest chants the mantras.
2. Nischithardham/Muhurtham
After the Patrika ritual, both the families decide on a date to meet and finalise the auspicious day of the wedding. The wedding date is finalised by a wedding pandit, the one who matches the horoscopes of the bride and the groom. This rasam ends with the lighting of a beautiful brass lamp, which is known as ‘Nila Villaku’ and the couple exchanging the rings and making their union formal.
3. Vara Puja:
Now, in the honour of the to-be husband and wife, Vara Puja is organised. A sort of sagan in the form of fields and new clothes are offered to the groom and his family, and that’s when they are invited to the wedding venue. The bridegroom’s feet are washed off with milk and the bride’s father wipes them with a cloth.
4. Pendlikoothuru/Paindlipilla or Haldipaspu
Just like a Haldi ceremony in Hindu weddings, Pendlikoothuru/Paindlipilla or Haldipaspu is a tradition that takes place in both the bride and the groom’s house. The Haldi paste (called Naluga) is believed to add a dash of extra glow on both the bride as well as the groom’s face. All the near and dear ones apply the paste on the bride and the groom’s faces.
5. Snathakam
Snathakam is a ritual specific to the groom, which is held usually a few hours ahead of the Reddy wedding and sometimes even before the Muhratam. In this ceremony, a silver thread is tied across the groom’s body, which is also known as Janev, signifying their resolve to be wed.
6. Kashi Yatra
Kashi Yatra is a fun-filled Reddy matrimonial ritual in which the groom pretends to renounce the worldly pleasures of life and walks out of the house to become a priest. That’s when the brother of the bride comes into the scene and reminds him of his responsibilities and gives him his sister’s hand for the wedding. In the end, the groom finally agrees to marry!
7. Mangala Snanam & Aarthi
Right in the wedding day’s early morning, a special bathing ceremony takes place in a Reddy wedding, which is known as Mangala Snanam. After the bath, aromatic oil is rubbed on both the bride and the groom’s body, after which they get ready for the Aarthi, which is a prayer specially done for the well-being and wisdom of the couple.
Here are the rituals which are followed on the wedding day
1. Vivaaham
Now, comes the wedding day! Finally! The wedding venue is a Kalyana Mandapam that is a hall rented for wedding purposes or a temple or a hotel. Along with all the fun and masti, the bridegroom, and his family are received by the other side at the entrance of the venue. Since it is a Reddy wedding, playing of melodious Nadaswarams and that is a must! When the wedding starts, two rows of young girls enter the area carrying an oil lamp or the sacred Changala Vatta in their hands. Along with it, they also hold the ashtamangalia, platters of flowers, rice, and turmeric.
2. Kanyadaan
The Kanyadaan happens when the bride’s maternal uncle escorts her to the mandap in a bamboo basket. The mamu carries his daughter-like just like a princess on the big day of her life.
3. Jeerakalla-Bellamu
Jeerakalla-Bellamu is a ritual where the curtains are put down between the bride and the groom and the priest starts to chant the wedding mantras. Smearing a paste of jaggery and cumin on the hands of the couple in order to signify an unbreakable bond, the wedding begins at the most auspicious hour.
4. Madhuparkam
Madhuparkam is a ritual in a Reddy wedding that calls for an outfit change. The bride dolls herself up in a stunning white saree having a traditional red border on it. On the other hand, the dapper groom sports a white Dhoti with a red border complementing his bride. The pairing of these colours represents strength and purity.
5. Sumangali
In a Reddy wedding, Sumangali is a ritual wherein 10 married ladies accompany the bride on her walk back to the mandap. Out of those ten married ladies, six carry thali of rice and turmeric powder and the other four carry small lamps lit in them.
5. Saptapadi
Saptapadi is the pheras that the couple takes around the holy fire to solemnise their wedding. Each one of these Pheras holds a promise that the bride and the groom make to each other.
6. Sthaalipaakam
With the Sthaalipaakam ceremony, a Reddy wedding comes to an end. In this ceremony, the groom helps the bride in donning a toe ring, which signifies that he bows down to her as his partner. In addition to this, he also gifts her string made up of black beads to ward off any evil forces that might come towards her.
There is no denying the fact that the rich traditions of India are blessed with the soulful essence of love, harmony, and unity, and a Reddy wedding is no exception! In case you have attended a Reddy wedding, do let us know your experience!
