Feb 26 • 11:05 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

Vijay and Rashmika's 'Kodava Wedding' Will Happen Again Without a Priest or Circling the Fire, What is This Ritual?

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda will have their wedding ceremony incorporating traditional Kodava customs without a priest or the fire ceremony after their Telugu wedding in Udaipur.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, who have been in a relationship for seven years, recently tied the knot in a traditional Telugu ceremony in Udaipur, held at ITC Momentos. Their wedding included rituals that are specific to their Telugu heritage, reflecting the customs they share from their cinematic collaborations like 'Geetha Govindam' and 'Dear Comrade'. This first part of their wedding took place on February 26.

Following their initial wedding, the couple will engage in a unique Kodava wedding ceremony later on the same day, which is rooted in the traditions of the Kodava community from Coorg, Karnataka. This aspect of their celebration is particularly distinctive because it does not involve a priest and excludes the traditional fire-circumambulation, which is a key feature of many Hindu weddings. Instead, the Kodava ritual adheres to its own set of age-old customs and practices, which emphasize lineage and ancestral traditions.

Kodava weddings are celebrated with considerable enthusiasm in the community, often displaying rich cultural heritage and customs that are unique to their region. As such, this dual-wedding approach by Rashmika and Vijay not only honors their individual backgrounds but also integrates the diverse tapestry of Indian wedding traditions, showcasing love and unity across different cultures. This special celebration illustrates how modern weddings can blend various traditions while keeping personal and cultural identity in focus.

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