Engagement dressing tips

The engagement is a big day for you, the groom. A significant step towards the big day. You and your fiancée-to-be are going to be the cynosure of all eyes. There won't be as many invitees present as on your wedding day. But want to give the occasion the importance it deserves. So plan your attire for the day and look your charming best.

You may want to speak to you fiancée-to-be and find out what she's going to wear so that you can co-ordinate your outfits. For instance, if she's wearing traditional attire, you might want to create the complete traditional look by doing the same. You could wear a western suit, too. But it won't look as interesting unless she's wearing a fusion dress or a gown.

In selecting your formal wear, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, the time of day, and the bride's gown.

• For Indian outfits, Churidar kurtas, pathani suits with crushed stoles or even a Jodhpur with trousers. Silks or woven silks and woven brocades are the best bets.
• Better still, if the groom wants to experiment, he can go in for a styled suit without a tie.
• If you choose to wear a western suit, then polynosic or terry wool would be apt for you.
• Use darker shades of olive green, air force blue, beige or off white. This works both for the Indian outfits or the western suits.

Traditional Rituals of Indian(Telugu) Wedding

Though every region in the country has a different set of rituals and traditions that they follow in their weddings, Telugu wedding traditions are quite similar to the Tamil ones. Also a unique feature of the Telugu weddings is that they focus mostly on spirituality and not solely on religion.

In a Telugu wedding, functions and rituals are considered to be complete only when women participate in them. They give utmost respect to women and consider women as an equal to men when it comes to marriages and family life. Here are some basic rituals that are involved in a traditional Telugu wedding.

Pre-wedding Rituals and Traditions

Muhurtam

In this ritual, the auspicious wedding day is finalised by the priests in the presence of the elderly family members. Tamil weddings usually do not take place in the months of Aashad, Bhadrapad and Shunya.

Pendikoothuru

More like the haldi ceremony up North, in this ritual, a paste of turmeric and oil is applied to both the bride and the groom. After this, they are required to bathe and wear fresh clothes. The bride’s hair is then adorned with fresh flowers.

Image Courtesy: Mahima Bhatia Photography

Snathakam

This ritual takes place at the groom's place. In this, he is made to wear the holy silver thread. This is a mark that he is now ready to graduate from bachelorhood to become a family man.

Recommended Read: 6 Most Awkward Moments that Married Couples Face

Kashi Yatra

Similar to the Kashi Yatra ritual in the Tamil weddings, here the groom pretends he is off to Kashi for a holy pilgrimage and is no longer interested in worldly pleasures. He is stopped by the bride’s brother who promises his sister’s hand in matrimony to the groom.

Wedding Rituals and Traditions

Mangala Snaanam

This is a ritual that takes place on the wedding morning where the bride and groom take a purifying holy bath after which they attend the aarti.

Aarti

After the holy bath, the bride and the groom are applied oil in their respective houses. After this, their families perform an aarti and pray for the couple's happy life together.

Gauri Puja

This ritual usually takes place at the bride’s house where she offers her prayers to Goddess Gauri and seeks the deity’s blessings.

Ganesha and Gauri Puja

The groom is supposed to perform the Ganesh puja at the mandap before the arrival of the bride to ward off all evils and any obstacles.

Recommended Read: Expert Advice on Pre-bridal Essentials by Bharti Taneja

Bride’s Entry

The bride is accompanied to the mandap by her maternal uncle. At the mandap, there is a curtain between the groom and her, while the priest recites the holy mantras. In some communities, the bride is carried to the mandap in a bamboo basket by her uncles.

Image Courtesy: Inderjeet Gill Photography

Jeerakalla-Bellamu 

Here, the bride and the groom apply a paste of jeera (cumin) and jaggery on each other’s hands from under the curtain. This ritual denotes their inseparable and unbreakable bond.

Kanyadaan

This ritual is performed by the bride’s parents where after washing the groom’s feet, they offer their daughter’s hand to the groom. The groom promises to love, respect and protect his bride for life.

Madhuparkam 

In this ritual, the bride is made to wear a cotton saree with a red broder, while the groom wears a white cotton dhoti with a red border. This is the traditional wedding outfit of the bride and the groom. These colours symbolise their purity and strength respectively.

Mangalsutra ritual

During this ritual, the curtain between the couple is removed and the groom ties a mangalsutraaround the bride’s neck with three knots. This signifies their mental, physical and spiritual union with each other.

Image Courtesy: Inderjeet Gill Photography

Talambralu

In this ritual, the bride and the groom pour pearls or turmeric coloured rice on each other’s head. They cup their hands and hold rice in it. The couple then slides the rice over each other’s head as a priest recites mantras.

Recommended Read: How to Make Your Mother-in-Law Love You Forever

Kanyadaan Akshata

Here the couple exchanges flower garlands as their friends and relatives shower flowers and turmeric coloured rice on the couple.

Saptapadi and Sthaalipaakam

In this ritual, the couple takes seven rounds around the holy fire while taking their marriage vows. After this, the groom puts a silver toe ring on the bride’s toe.

Image Courtesy: Inderjeet Gill Photography

Appagintalu

This is similar to the vidaai ceremony in the North Indian weddings. Once the wedding is over, the bride is traditionally considered to be a part of the groom's family from then on. This is a bittersweet moment for the bride and her family.

Post-wedding Rituals and Traditions

Grihapravesh

After leaving her parent’s home, the newlywed couple reaches the groom’s house. Here, the groom’s mother welcomes the couple by performing a small aarti.

Different Telugu communities have different rituals and customs for their celebrations. But generally, Telugu weddings attach a deep spiritual value to whatever customs they may follow.

Cover Image Courtesy: Inderjeet Gill Photography

10 visa-free destinations for Indian citizens

Indian travellers may rue the declining rupee but there are other perks to being an Indian citizen. Holders of Indian passports have visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to about 52 countries and territories around the world. At least 28 of these nations allow Indian passport holders to visit without a pre-issued visa.

In many cases, an Indian citizen's country of residence determines the degree of access to other countries. Indian citizens holding permanent resident (Green Card) status in the United States do not require visas to visit Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean islands. Indians with a residency in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries do not need a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. Indian citizens do not, similarly, need a visa to enter Nepal or Bhutan.

Do note, however, that getting to some of these destinations might involve a significant air travel cost. Also bear in mind that visa-free access, though it may be permitted, is not necessarily a right. Permission to enter a country is granted subject to the decision of border and immigration officers. Visiting for reasons other than tourism may require a pre-issued visa.

1. BHUTAN

Bhutan, the happiest little nation in the world, is among the most sought-after Himalayan destinations for tourists but the Himalayan mountain kingdom is very conservative when it comes to tourism. Travel writer Pico Iyer mentioned it in his book, Falling off the Map, as one of the world's remotest places. Until recently, Bhutan restricted tourist numbers. Though that has changed, the country still requires foreign tourists to pay for their entire holiday in advance and travel on a pre-issued tourist visa. Flying into Bhutan's solitary airport at Paro is possible only through the national carrier Druk Air, which operates flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok and Yangon. 

Indian citizens, however, have it easier. On production of a valid passport or voter's identity card, a permit is issued that is valid for two weeks. 

Tourism information: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/

2. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Most Indians need to look up the British Virgin Islands on a map. They lie in the Caribbean Sea, and include over 60 islands and keys, of which about 43 are uninhabited. Indian citizens are granted a 31-day visa-free stay in the British Virgin Islands for tourism purposes. One of the best ways to visit the islands is by cruise ship, as many cruises operate from the United States to the nearby US Virgin Islands. There are no direct flights between India and the British Virgin Islands. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: INR 1,60,000 (via Paris and Saint Maarten)

Tourism information: http://www.bvitourism.com/

3. COOK ISLANDS

The Cook Islands lie in Polynesia, off the coast of New Zealand. They are named after Captain James Cook, who discovered them for the western world in 1770. Since 1965, the islands have been self-governed with free association to the government of New Zealand, which controls the islands' defence, foreign affairs (including passport control) and currency. Immigration is strictly controlled. Indian citizens are allowed to stay for up to 200 days without a visa, but must show proof of reserved accommodation and are not exempt from paying the departure tax of NZ$55 for adults and NZ$15 for children. Rarotonga International Airport, the main port of entry to the Cook Islands, is connected to Auckland via daily flights and weekly flights from Sydney, Fiji and Los Angeles. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: INR 1,60,000 (via Singapore and Auckland)

Tourism information: http://www.cookislands.travel/

4. DOMINICA

Not to be confused with the Caribbean nation known as the Dominican Republic, the island of Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by the British. It has beautiful hiking trails, rainforests and beaches with great opportunities for snorkelling. Indian citizens are allowed to stay for 22 months without a visa. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: INR 2,00,000 (via Paris and Saint Maarten)

Tourism information: http://www.dominica.dm/

5. EL SALVADOR 

El Salvador, the most densely populated country in Central America, lies between Guatemala and the Honduras. Volcanoes, mountains and cloud forests offer plenty of nature discovery and hiking opportunities. Old colonial towns and UNESCO World Heritage Sites beckon heritage tourists. Indian nationals are permitted to stay for a maximum of three months without a visa. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: INR 1,44,000 (via Paris and Miami)

Tourism information: http://www.elsalvador.travel/impresionante/

6. GRENADA

The beautiful Caribbean islands of Grenada offer much to tourists in the form of beaches, waterfalls, historic forts and spice gardens. Indian tourists can travel visa-free in Grenada for up to 90, but must show proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of their travel.

Approximate cost of round trip flight: INR 1.60,000 (via London and Miami)

Tourism information: http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/

7. HAITI

Haiti is off the travel map for most tourists owing to the devastation left by the 2010 earthquake. One of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, its current political situation and concerns over the safety of tourists has prompted many countries to issue strict travel advisories. That said, Indian tourists are welcome without a visa for a maximum stay of three months.

Approximate cost of round trip flight: INR 1,52,000 (via Dubai and New York)

Tourism information: http://www.haititourisme.org/

8. JAMAICA

Jamaica is the most populous of the English-speaking Caribbean countries and its easygoing culture, cuisine and music, besides its many beaches, are attractive to tourists. Indian tourists can stay without a visa on producing a passport valid for six months and sufficient proof of funds and onward travel. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: 1,53,000 (via Dubai and New York/ Toronto)

Tourism information: http://www.visitjamaica.com/

9. MONTSERRAT 

Not to be confused with the Spanish region of the same name, Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean southeast of Puerto Rico and once a popular resort. Since 1989, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions forced its closure but the island is slowly limping back. Indian citizens must show proof of citizenship but can travel visa-free on furnishing proof of onward travel and adequate funds. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: 1,30,000 (to Antigua, via London) and a 15-minute air-hop from Antigua to Montserrat (about INR 5,000)

Tourism information: http://www.visitmontserrat.com/

10. MICRONESIA 

The far-flung Federated States of Micronesia are a group of 607 islands in the Western Pacific Ocean, comprising the states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It is considered one of the most remote and beautiful places in the world, with pristine coral reefs, quaint cultures, exotic food and picturesque islands. Indian citizens can travel visa-free for 30 days upon producing proof of sufficient funds, onward travel and accommodation. 

Approximate cost of round trip flight: 2,04,000 (via Hong Kong, Guam and Truk) 

Tourism information: http://www.visit-micronesia.fm/