A Unique Vizianagaram Tradition: Pelli Ikkada Tali Akkada
In the heart of Vizianagaram district, particularly in the town of Srungavarapukota, a time-honored wedding ritual continues to captivate locals and visitors alike. Known as Pelli Ikkada Tali Akkada, literally translating to “the wedding here, the tali there,” this practice sees the bride and groom cross a field boundary at the muhurtham moment to tie the mangalsutra (tali) in a sacred spot, before returning to finish the wedding back in the town. This distinctive moment remains a visible emblem of tradition amid changing times.
Origin and Belief: Why the Boundary Crossing?
Rooted in Local Belief
The ritual’s backstory is tied to the village’s reverence for Erukamma Parentaramma, a local goddess associated with harvest and protection. According to community lore, a protective ritual evolved to counter a lingering curse or shapa, ensuring the welfare of newlyweds and their families. Crossing the boundary into the polimera, tying the tali at that liminal space, and then returning to the domestic arena is thus both a spiritual safeguard and a public affirmation of married life. Over generations, the act has become a cultural marker that unites families and neighbors in shared devotion.
How the Ceremony Unfolds
Typically, a Vizianagaram Arya Vaishya wedding unfolds with all rites conducted within the home or a village pandal. The celebratory songs, the seating of the couple, and the feast take place locally. At the exact muhurtham, however, the couple steps out and proceeds to the edge of town where the boundary field—an open space that has come to symbolize transition—awaits. There, under the watch of elders, the tali is tied, and the couple is then escorted back to the domestic space to resume the remainder of the nuptials. The moment is simple in ceremony but rich in meaning: the couple formally crosses from one space (the family’s private sphere) to another (the married life within the community), sealing their bond in the eyes of tradition.
Tradition Meets Modernity
In the past, most weddings followed the entire ritual within the town’s precincts. The winds of change, however, have nudged some families toward altering the venue or sequence. A notable development is the construction of a dedicated venue—Vasavi Kalyana Mandapam—in Dharmavaram, about 5 kilometers from Srungavarapukota, where some couples now conduct extended wedding ceremonies. A local businessman notes, “We kept the tali-tying at the traditional spot, but carried the rest of the rites at a more convenient, purpose-built venue.” This adaptation preserves the essence of the ritual while embracing contemporary arrangements and facilities.
Social Context and the Road Ahead
The practice is more than a superstition; it is a social glue that reinforces community bonds and honors ancestral beliefs. For many families, the rite is a visible, prideful reminder of shared identity, passed down through generations. Although debates emerge about whether to preserve or modify long-standing customs, the majority view remains: the ritual enriches their cultural landscape and offers a distinctive narrative for their weddings. The popular local refrain—“Pelli Ikkada Tali Akkada”—has become a source of collective pride and a talking point in conversations about marriage and tradition in Srungavarapukota and nearby villages.
New Trends: Photos or No Photos?
In line with a broader shift toward authenticity and simplicity, a growing trend favours less emphasis on elaborate photo shoots. Some couples opt to carry out the boundary-crossing rite without the distraction of a staged photography session, preferring to let the sacred moment remain intimate and unposed. This trend reflects a desire to keep the ritual’s core spiritual significance intact while balancing modern expectations of privacy, memory-making, and cultural preservation.
A Living Tradition
As Vizianagaram’s century-old practice continues to adapt, it remains a living thread in the region’s cultural fabric. The ritual embodies a respectful dialogue between past and present, reminding communities that sacred space, communal support, and a shared pledge endure—even as wedding logistics evolve. The spectacle of a bride and groom crossing a field boundary at the cusp of their new life remains a powerful image of tradition, identity, and belonging.
