After attending Bunny’s marriage at Bhadrachalam on 8th May we returned home today (9th May) safely and with happy memories. After my last blog of 5th May, I could not post anymore during the last 3 days as I was busy with the marriage related events, travel and celebrations.
Bunny’s Upanayanam function took place on 6th May from 10:00am to 1:00pm. In our community this function is more popularly known as Odugu. The marriage celebrations commenced with this function. A large festooned Pandal was put up in front of the house and Sannai melam was played almost the whole day setting an atmosphere of festivity and happiness. I have much to say to describe the Odugu ceremony and its significance but that would be a deviation from the main topic. However two events of this ceremony were enjoyed by all and specially the youngsters. One is Bhikshatana, when Bunny went out of the house and sought alms from relatives surrounding him saying Bhikshaam dehi! And the second one is when he decided to become a Sanyasi and go to Khasi but is prevented by the bride’s brother who pleads with him not to go on such a mission, he requests him to marry his sister and be with the family and then he washes his feet and brings him back into the house. After Odugu, we all had lunch and then Bunny was made Pellikoduku that is Bridegroom. This is done by applying turmeric paste on to him and gifting him with new clothes, gold rings and chains by the family and all close relatives. Many relatives kept arriving the whole day to make him Pellikoduku. It was a good family get-together and everyone was happy to be there.
On 7th May relatives started arriving from 12:00 Noon to travel to Bhadrachalam for the marriage. The two buses arranged to transport us were originally scheduled to start from Bunny’s house at Krishna Nagar Colony by 2:00pm but instead they arrived at 4:00pm and left with about 90 relatives and friends at 4:30pm. The buses were comfortable and with good Air conditioning. Because of heavy traffic en-route it took us almost 9 hours to travel 330 Km. to reach Bhadrachalam. It was 1:20am, 8th May, by the time we reached the AP Tourism Guest House, the place of our stay and the marriage ceremony. Dinner was arranged for us immediately on arrival and it was perhaps 3:00am by the time everyone settled down for a short sleep, in the rooms allotted to them. Srikanth who left Hyderabad on 7th night was to reach Bhadarachalam by 6:00am on 8th May, but his train was also late and he joined us at 8:00am.
On 8th May, during the day almost all relatives were busy, they visited Sree SitaRamachandraswamy temple, Godavari River and Parnashala which is 35 Km. from Bhadracalam. My brother-in-law, Y.G.K. Murthy, is an Excise Superintendant in Khammam district and Bhadrachalam is in his jurisdiction. He organized special darshanam at all local temples and arranged a very special lunch for about 12 members of our family. After a refreshing nap we joined the marriage rituals at 5:30pm. It started with Edurukollu during which time there was a pleasant drizzle. After a hot and sultry day it was a refreshing rain. After Edurukollu at the Guest House we all moved to the Kalyana Mandapam attached to the Guest House. Jheelakarra Bellam ceremony took place on dot as per Muhurtham at 7:30pm, followed by Mangalasutra dharana and Thalambralu. Dinner arrangements were made in the lawns adjoining the marriage hall.
We left Bhadrachalam at 10:45pm and reached Secunderabad by 7:00am on 9th May. After hectic activity in the past one & half day everyone was tired and managed to relax and get some rest during the return journey. Everyone was happy with the arrangements and the marriage celebrations. I have posted some photos of the journey and marriage in orkut and facebook, especially for my son Srinath, nephew Uday Bhasker, niece Sravanthi who are all abroad and ofcourse for all friends and relatives.
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