Sub-Castes & Marriage Customs
Reddy Caste People are predominantly lives at Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Australia, US & UK
Reddy Sub castes:
There were more than a dozen sub-castes in Reddy Community especially in AP, Karnataka, Tamilnadu but most popular sub-castes are Pokanati Kapu, Pedakanti Kapu, Kodithi Kapu, Paala Kapu.
Customs and Rituals performed in Reddy Caste is almost same as other Hindu Marriages in South India especially Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka. However, few ceremonies are different even in the Sub-Castes of Reddy.
WEDDING CUSTOMS
Lagna Patrika: Nishchaya Thamboolam : Nishchitardham Ceremony:
Predominantly the wedding or marriage starts with marriage looks, once both side parents and couples agree for commencing marriage, conducts a ceremony called Lagna Patrika, Nishchaya Thamboolam, Nishchitardham. In which the priest calculates the best and auspicious Muhurtham in the names of the couple. Accordingly the parents of couples exchange Nishchaya Thambookam.
Mandapam for Marriage:
Ancient times most of the marriage were used to conduct at temples or at houses. In the recent times, in addition to the temples, marriages are celebrating at functional halls and at destination wedding facilities as decided at the time of Nishchitardham.
Most of the ceremonies and customs are common in comparison with other Hindu Caste Marriages. The marriage ceremonies starts with Mangala Snanam ( Auspicious Bath or Blissful Bath) and ends with Arundhati Nakshatra Darshanam.
Auspicious/Blissful Bath Ceremony:
The foremost auspicious/blissful bath takes on the same day or a day before the Muhurtham. The water pours in a tub by the near, dear and well wishers of the bride/groom along with flowers, mesmerizing perfumes to take bath.
Kula Daiva Pooja:
Once after completion of Mangala Snamam ceremony bride/groom goes to offer pooja in their Kula Daiva temples or Istadaiva temples.
Dress Code:
Marriage is made in heaven, for this auspicious moment Groom wears Dhoti Paijama, Sherwani or white & white cloths. Whereas Bride wears Silk Saree, Ghagra Choli or white & yellow saree, Gold Ornaments, Parani.
Nalugu Ceremony:
Both Bride and Groom along with supportive groom and supportive bride (especially children) sits in well beautification rangoli. All the females from both bride and groom side pour turmeric rice at thighs, shoulders, head followed by kunkum at foreheads.
Metti Ceremony:
During Nalugu Ceremony, maternal or paternal uncle or Son's of them wear metti to the bride and groom in the index finger of both legs.
Vakka Ceremony:
Called Kramuka Ceremony in Sanskrit. It is especially a ladies ceremony. All the females from both bride and groom sides organize this Vakka Ceremony with Bride. All the females, one by one offers vakka, pawn leaves, dry fruits along with dry coconut to Bride for her better future as blessings.
Basikam - Kalyana Thilakam Ceremony:
Both Groom and Bride wear Basikam and Kalyana Thilakam before coming to the Kalyana Mandapam.
Groom's Arrival Ceremony:
Groom arrives first to the Kalyana Mandam along with his parents, relatives, friends, well wishers and takes Asanam in wooden platform designated for him beside the Priest and pronounces mantras as guided by the priest such as sthala Shuddhi, Savadhana Mantras.
Kanya/Bride Arrival Ceremony along with Vadibiyyam/Womb Holy Rice Ceremony:
Bride with green coconut & Vadibiyyam/womb holy rice arrives Kalyana Mandapam along with her parents, relatives, friends, well wishers and takes Asanam in wooden platform designated for her, in front of Groom.
Lord Ganesha Pooja & Shri Rama Pooja Ceremony:
Bride and Groom offer Pooja to lord Ganesha, later Lord Shri Rama, Kula Daiva Pooja, Pancha Bhuthas and Mangalya Sutra Pooja.
Priest-Veda Mantras:
In each and every movement during the marriage, the priest chants many veda mantras in Sanskrit Language and guides the Bride and Groom to perform various activities along with Veda Mantras.
Cleansing of Feet of the Groom by the Father of the Bride Ceremony:
Before doing kanyadhanam, the father & mother of the bride cleanses the feet of groom along with kunkum-turmeric and flowers. Later takes the water as mahaprasadha, drizzles the water in their heads.
Kanya Dhanam Ceremony:
Parents of the Bride offers/Dhanam of Bride along with the coconut brought by the bride to the Groom as per the veda mantras.
Cumin & Jaggery Ceremony:
Both Bride and Groom take paste of Cumin & Jaggery in Betel leave. Bride places the paste on the head of Groom and vice versa.
Equal Pressure Ceremony:
The Groom applies pressure on the thumb finger of the leg and vice versa.
Kankanam Ceremony:
Bride ties a Black thread with Turmeric Root in the wrist of Groom and Vice Versa.
Akshintalu or Sacred Rice - Turmeric Rice Ceremony:
All the Elders, relatives, friends witnessing the marriage are provided with turmeric mixed rice called sacred Rice for the blessings of Bride and Groom at the time of knotting Mangalya Sutra.
Mangalya Sutra Dharana/ Thalibottu Ceremony:
The Mangalya Sutra along with coconut takes to all the elders, relatives, friends witnessing the marriage for blessings of bright future of the couple. On the auspicious time/Muhurtham as decided earlier, as per the instructions of the priest, the Groom tied the Mangalya Sutra in the neck of the Bride while chanting veda mantras and blessings of witnesses of the Kalyanam.
Traditionally Mangalya Sutra is a yellow thread along with Two Lakshmi Mata Gold Coins attached to the Yellow Thread. But in the Sub-Caste of Pedakanti Reddy, No Lakshmi Maata Coins used in Mangalya Sutra, but only Yellow Thread used as Mangalya Sutra. Tying Mangalya Sutra in Pedakanti Reddy is different than other sub-castes of Reddy, the Groom knots the Mangalya Sutra at the chest part of the Mangalya Sutra, not in the neck part.
Dharmecha - Arthecha - Kamecha - Mokshecha Nathi Charami Ceremony:
Both the Bride and Groom take oath/promises as Dharmecha Arthecha Kamecha Mokshecha Nathi Charami.
Sindhuram Ceremony:
The Groom offers Sindhuram to the Mangalya Sutra and at the forehead of the Bride.
Jalagala Ceremony:
The Groom wears a netted yellow cloth in the neck of the Bride and Vice Versa.
Talambralu Ceremony:
The Groom pours holy rice in on the head of Bride and Vice Versa
Navaratnalu Ceremony:
It is a part of Talambralu. The bride and groom pour nine different colors of rice on each other's head.
Exchange of Garlands Ceremony:
Both the Bride and Groom exchange Kalyana Mala which has been worn during the entire ceremonies till that time.
Knotting of Cloths - Seven Steps Ceremony:
Either the priest or elders knots the corners of the clothes of Bride and Groom before proceeding to the Arundhati Nakshatra Darshanam Ceremony and takes Seven Steps enroute.
Arundhati Nakshatra Darshanam:
As per the guidance of the priest, Groom shows the Arundhati Nakshatra to the Bride.
Blessings of Elders & Gifts:
The relatives, elders, friends witnessed the marriage and offered gifts and blessings to the newly wedded couples.
Vindhu Bojanam:
Bojanam to the elders, friends, relatives witnessed the marriage.
Post Marriage Ceremonies:
1. Daiva Darshanam and ashirvadam takes from Shri Rama or kula daiva or other temples.
2. Malli Pelli or Reception
2. Satya Narayana Swamy Vratham
3. First Three Nights
4. Honey Moon and so on
K. Lakshmi Narasimha Reddy
ADVOCATE