A Century-Old Rite in Vizianagaram
In the town of Shringavarapukota, Vizianagaram district, a distinctive wedding custom endures among the Arya Vaishya community. Even as many wedding events take place within the household, a special moment during the muhurtham requires the couple to cross the local polimera boundary and have the mangalsutra tied away from home. Only after this symbolic gesture do the newlyweds return to complete the rest of the celebrations. The ritual, affectionately spoken of as “Here Tali, There” by locals, remains a cultural hallmark that continues to shape wedding conversations and communal pride in the town.
The Belief Behind the Practice
According to local lore, the genesis of this practice is linked to the village deity Erukamma Perantalu and a belief of a past curse or shaming that needed to be appeased. Some residents attribute the custom to the idea that the marriage should be blessed by the boundary of the town, ensuring the couple begins their new life with a boundary-crossing act that symbolizes stepping into a future together with vigilance and community support. Thus, families take the bride and groom to the edge of the settlement, perform the mangalsutra tying, and then bring them back to the hearth for the remainder of the wedding rites.
How the Ritual Unfolds
All wedding preparations—songs, seating of the couple in the Kalyaana Mandapam, and hospitality—occur inside the town. The moment the muhurtham is declared, the couple is escorted beyond the polimera boundary to have the tali tied by a priest or elder relative. As soon as the knot is secured, they are brought back to the domestic premises to continue with the family celebrations and the remaining rituals. This sequence, performed with reverence and devotion, has become a visual cue that many villagers recognize as the defining feature of these weddings.
Modern Shifts and New Venues
Over time, the practice has evolved. While most ceremonies continue to weave the ritual into town life, some families now opt to invite a larger portion of the wedding to nearby villages. Notably, the nearby village of Darmavaram, about 5 km away, has seen a rise in dedicated wedding mandaps, like the Vasavi Kalyaana Mandapam, built to host the event’s core moments. A local merchant explained how his daughter’s wedding followed the traditional path at home, but the tali was tied at the temple-STYLE venue outside the town, reflecting a mix of tradition and practicality.
Social Significance and Community Pride
The ritual isn’t merely about fear or obedience; it embodies social ties and respect for longstanding beliefs. The Arya Vaishya community views it as a collective practice that reinforces intergenerational bonds and continuity of heritage. The distinctive question, “Pelli ikkada tali akkada?”—”Wedding here, tali there?”—is spoken with a sense of local pride, signaling that this is a ritual that unites generations and strengthens communal identity.
Tradition vs Change: Will It Endure?
Debates about modernization and practicality surface from time to time. Some argue for more flexible adaptations, while others insist the practice remains a sacred part of their cultural fabric. For now, the elders and many families in Shringavarapukota treat it not as a mere superstition but as a ceremonial anchor that preserves a unique sense of belonging for the community. The future will reveal how this centuries-old custom evolves while keeping its core spirit intact.
A Modern Twist: No Photos, Still Sacred
Alongside the ritual’s ceremonial depth, new wedding trends are emerging. In some households, couples forgo elaborate photo shoots and opt for a streamlined sequence that emphasizes the ritual itself. This shift reflects a broader trend toward prioritizing meaning over glamour, while still honoring the tradition that makes Vizianagaram weddings distinctive.
Whether the tradition continues in its pure form or morphs with changing times, the essence remains: a community’s willingness to pass down a cherished rite, lending a sense of continuity to the generations that follow.
