Praneet + MalikaApril 22nd, 2 16

A guide to what’s actually happening.

Take pictures and use our hashtags #TeluguPartyof2 and #Korraparty2016!

We know this is a long ceremony, so please feel free to have dinner and socialize in the far tent at any time.

The Hindu wedding ceremony is based on centuries-old traditions originating from the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, which date back over 5,000 years. The ceremony is performed in the ancient language of Sanskrit, and consists of a sequence of rituals meant to unite two souls eternally. The ceremony takes place in a Mandap or wedding pavillion, which is built to symbolize the universe.

Hindu weddings are colorful and lively, and the celebrations extend for several days. The rituals vary from region to region in India, however there are a few that are common and can be broadly classified into initial, main, and final stages.

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The Hindu Ceremony

Initial Events 6:30 PM to 8 PM

Dinner 7:30 PM to 10 PM

Muhurtam 8:22 PM

Main Events 8 PM to 9 PM

Final Events 9 PM to 10 PM

Baraat & Kasi YatraThe Groom’s ArrivalPraneet arrives in a procession with his family and friends to meet his bride, but then teases that he’s no longer interested in material things and wants to enter sainthood. Malika’s brother Pavan asks him to instead marry his sister. When Praneet agrees, Malika’s father formally invites him into the wedding venue.

Gowri PoojaPrayer for the BrideDuring the Baraat, Malika prays to Goddess Gowri for her blessings, as she is the icon of an ideal wife and a symbol of ever-lasting love.

Kanya AagmanThe Bride’s ArrivalCarried by her maternal uncles, Malika enters the ceremony holding a coconut given by her parents. She is preceded by her bridesmaids, who carry important articles to be used in the ceremony. The couple is separated by a curtain or antarpat, since the couple should not see one another until the most auspicious moment.

Ganesha PoojaStarting with Blessings

Praneet enters the Mandap and prays to Lord Ganesha,

the elephant-headed god and remover of obstacles, to ensure

the event will go smoothly.

KanyadanamGiving the Bride Away

Malika’s parents place her hands in Praneet’s, officially giving away their daughter. In return, they ask Praneet to promise he will take

care of Malika for the rest of their lives.

Initial Events

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MuhurthamThe Auspicious MomentAt 8:22 PM, Malika and Praneet place crushed cumin seeds and jaggery, or brown sugar, within betel leaves on each other's heads from underneath the curtain. The bitter cumin and sweet jaggery when mixed become an inseparable mixture, denoting that the couple will be inseparable through bitter and sweet times.

At this moment, the antarpat is lifted and Praneet and Malika see each other for, what traditionally would be, the first time. The couple then changes into new clothes for the remainder of the ceremony.

Mangalya DharanaTying the KnotPraneet and Malika become husband and wife when Praneet ties the Mangala Sutram, a sacred yellow thread with two pendants, around Malika’s neck in three knots, symbolizing their union in mind, body and soul. Their clothes are tied together in a marriage knot by Praneet’s mother as a symbol of their permanent bond.

Having tied the mangala sutra, the couple now exchange garlands and are showered with blessings through flowers and rice.

TalambraluPouring Grains

The bride and groom pour rice and flower petals over each other’s heads symbolizing prosperity and happiness for the future.

Main Events

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SaptapadiStepping into the FutureAgain holding hands, Malika and Praneet take seven steps together, each signifying a different aspect of marriage that they hope to uphold.

1. We will share the responsibilities of married life.2. We will have strength and courage in everything we face.3. We will share our wealth and ensure prosperity for our family.4. We will share our happiness and sorrow.5. We will care for our children and our parents.6. We will fill our hearts with joy, peace, happiness and morality.7. We will remain partners and best friends, lifelong.

Under Hindu law, a marriage is not complete by tying the Mangala Sutram alone. Praneet and Malika are considered husband and wife only after the Saptapadi is complete.

Pradhana HomamBlessing from the FirePraneet and Malika hold hands and walk three times around the wedding fire, reciting Vedic hymns for prosperity and good fortune. They pray for union of both their hearts and minds.

Praneet then helps Malika to tread on a grindstone kept to the right side of the fire. This ritual is symbolic of the solid rock foundation for their relationship.

Final Events

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AppagintaluHappily Ever AfterIn the final event of the wedding, Malika becomes part of Praneet’s family and Praneet becomes part of Malika’s family. Traditionally this is a sad moment when the bride leaves her family home forever, but today this is a joyous event representing the union of two families. #soblessed!

A newly married couple, Praneet and Malika seek blessings from the priest, family and friends, symbolized by flower petals and rice.

Arundhati and Dhruva DarshanLooking to the Stars

When the stars appear in the evening sky, the priest shows Praneet and Malika the constellation of Ursa Major and the Arundhati star.

These stars symbolize Vashista, the great saint, and his wife Arundhati as an ideal couple, symbolic of love and loyalty.

The two north stars of Ursa Major point to Polaris, the brightest star in the Ursa minor constellation. Since this star is stationary, the couple

gazes on it together as a symbol of stability.

Laaja HomamThe Bride’s OfferingAfter the seven steps, Malika’s brother Pavan helps her make an offering to the fire to wish for the couple’s long life together. He gives her a handful of rice and she feeds it to the fire. Having Pavan’s help symbolizes the continuing link between the two families, even after marriage. Praneet and Malika then circle around the fire and offer rice three times.

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Thank You!

To our family & friends,

Praneet + Malika

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Ankur Agrawal

Harika Chatlapalli

Sanjay Kataria

Baljeet Khaira

Divya Toshniwal

Bridesmaids + Bridesmen

Vineet Korrapati

Nannaya Jampala

Alex Del Priore

Tony Joseph

Sirish Bhumi

Groomsmen

You are the reason we are so happy in life. We’re honored and grateful to have you here tonight and in our lives. Thank you for coming from near and far to celebrate with us. We love you!

Thanks also from Ramarao and Kantham Chatlapalli

Madhu and Sireesha Korrapati