Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya are set to marry in a grand ceremony at Annapurna Studios on December 4. As the wedding date nears, Sobhita gave fans a glimpse of her joyous pelli kuthuru ceremony, a significant pre-wedding tradition in Telugu culture.
In the photos shared on social media, Dhulipala exuded elegance in a traditional red-and-gold sari, paired with intricate gold jewellery and the classic Telugu-style bottu (bindi) on her forehead. The ceremony featured tender moments, including Sobhita receiving an aarti and elders rubbing her feet with turmeric paste, symbolising her transition into bridal status.
She was joined by her sister, Samanta, and brother-in-law, Sahil Gupta, as they celebrated this milestone in an intimate setting.
What is the pelli kuthuru ceremony?
The pelli kuthuru ceremony is a cherished Telugu pre-wedding ritual, celebrating the bride as she transitions into married life. Literally translating to “bride ritual,” the event focuses on blessings and purification, hence the involvement of haldi.
Usha Sree, born and bred Telugu from Hyderabad, explained the pelli kuthuru ceremony is the last function before the wedding. “The bride and groom, who would have his pelli koduku, don’t step out of the house before they tie the knot to stay safe from ‘buri nazar’.”
In the pelli kuthuru, the relatives of the bride bestow her with gifts like clothes, sweets and gold jewellery. They also put haldi on her. This is not the same as the haldi ceremony, which is actually called the ‘mangalasnanam.’
“After this, the bride is considered Parvati, while the groom her Shiva,” Sree said.
Know about the other wedding functions
Breaking away from contemporary pre-wedding trends, Sobhita has embraced her cultural roots. Earlier in October, she held a goduma raayi pasupu danchadam (turmeric crushing) ceremony, marking the start of wedding preparations. This was followed by the raata sthaapana and mangalasnanam, traditional rituals akin to the haldi ceremony, leading up to the pelli kuthuru event.
While most weddings today blend traditional and modern celebrations, Sobhita’s choice to honour Telugu customs has struck a chord with her fans, building excitement for the upcoming nuptials with Naga Chaitanya, her fiancé of two years.
