Love, legacy, and a lot of dramatic rituals. That’s exactly what people whispered about when Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda reportedly tied the knot on February 26, 2026, in Udaipur. But their wedding was not just about celebrity sparkle. It was a rare cultural crossover moment. A Telugu groom. A Kodava bride from Coorg. Two traditions, two histories, one grand wedding stage. And suddenly, fans everywhere started asking: what exactly is a Kodava wedding and why does it feel so different from other Hindu ceremonies?
Let’s break it down step by step, ritual by ritual, and decode the full cultural drama behind the Coorg wedding traditions that reportedly shaped Rashmika and Vijay’s big day.
Who are the Kodavas and why their weddings are so unique
Kodavas are a native community of Kodagu, known as Coorg. They are famous for their strong community bonds and martial history. Their lifestyle evolved from hilly terrain and local environment.
Even the word for wedding in Kodava language, Mangala, reflects joy and festivity.
No brahmin priests, only elders and ancestors
Unlike most Hindu weddings, Kodava weddings are not solemnised by Brahmin priests. Instead, prayers are offered to ancestors at a sacred hanging lamp. The ceremony is guided by elders of the family.
How long does a traditional Coorg wedding last?
Traditionally, a Kodava wedding is a two-day affair, sometimes stretching into early morning of the third day if celebrations continue through the night.
Day 1: Urkooduva or Karik Muripa (preparation day and clan gathering)
Day 2: Mangala (the main wedding rituals and ceremonies)
DAY 1: Urkooduva or Karik Muripa
First day is called Urkooduva, meaning “village gathering”. This is when family members close and distant participate in wedding preparations. Every clan (okka) has representation. A person from each administrative unit (nad) helps organise rituals.
A traditional pandal (temporary wedding structure) is erected. It is decorated with mango leaves, banana bunches, topped with leaves of young jackfruit or wild litchi branches.
The mediator called Aruva plays major role during preparations. He acts as link between the bride’s and groom’s families, supervises feast arrangements, oversees installation of main pandal pillar.
By evening, preparations shift into celebration mode. Close relatives and friends gather for a small party where alcohol and different varieties of meat are served.
On wedding eve, groom dresses in traditional white long-sleeved kupya secured with red and gold chele (sash). A checked red silk scarf is tied on his head.
Bride wears an off-white sari with gold border draped in Coorg style, pleats tucked at the back and pallu pinned over the right shoulder, along with long-sleeved blouse and embroidered veil tied at the neck.
Groom guided by his best man (bojakaara) prays at sacred hanging lamp to honour ancestors and clan deities. His mother places a pavala maale, chain of coral and gold beads.
He then seeks blessings by touching elders’ feet thrice and raising hands to his forehead.
The bride performs identical rituals with her matron of honour (bojakarthi). Her mother ties a pathaak (a gold, coral, and bead chain with a cobra-hood pendant).
Meanwhile, drums (dudis) beat wedding songs and the volaga band plays outside.
DAY 2: Mangala
The wedding day begins early. Groom undergoes a ritual shave where milk is applied to his face before shaving part of his forehead. Then comes the ritual bath, where his mother and two married women pour pots of water over him.
This cleansing prepares him for marriage.
After bathing, he dresses again in kupya attire with dagger (peeche kathi) tucked in front and war knife (odi kathi) at the back.
At the same time, bride undergoes bale iduva, bangle wearing ceremony. She sits on a mat while bangle-seller adorns her wrists with colourful glass bangles, including at least one black pair believed to ward off evil.
After her ritual bath, she dresses in a red silk sari with gold border, a red veil, jasmine garland, heavy traditional gold and silver jewellery for hair, ears, wrists, fingers, neck, feet.
One of the most dramatic rituals follows: Baale Birud. Rows of banana plant stems decorated with flowers are fixed along the wedding path. The maternal uncle of the bride or groom is honoured to cut these stems with a single stroke using an odi kathi.
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He walks around them thrice, taps flowers. Then he cuts each stem cleanly showcasing warrior heritage.
The groom arrives holding a gejje thand. It is an ebony staff with bells, symbolising his presence even if he were absent. He is shaded by an umbrella held by his best man and accompanied by drummers, singers, and a girl carrying a reed basket of puffed rice, coconuts, bananas, jaggery, and milk.
On arrival, the bride’s family washes his feet and showers rice over him. A white cloth path is spread for him to walk on. The bride’s mother feeds him a mix of rice, milk, and sugar as a welcome gesture.
At the sacred dais, the groom walks thrice around his seat, sprinkles rice, and sits facing east. The bride repeats the same ritual and sits beside him.
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Then begins the main blessing ceremony. Mothers bless first, followed by fathers, elders, women, and then men. Drums sing wedding songs and the volaga band plays outside.
Finally the groom stands, showers rice on the bride, offers her milk, gifts her a small red silk bag containing gold, silver, copper coins. They hold hands and exchange jasmine garlands.
Sammanda Kodupa ritual legally and culturally seals the marriage. Elders from both families stand before sacred lamp and recite traditional dialogue granting bride rights in the groom’s clan.
Bride’s elder gives twelve pebbles representing her birthright in her parental home. Groom’s elder accepts only eleven allowing her right to return to her parents if needed.
For Batte Thadpa, the groom prepares to take his bride home, her cross-cousin blocks her path claiming he has the traditional right to marry her. After humorous arguments and bargaining, he accepts a gold coin and allows the bride to leave.
Once rituals end, the bride’s mother invites everyone to the grand feast. The head of the family eats with guests while others serve the meal. They usually serve women first.
Afterward, joyful dancing begins with men, women, and children joining the celebration to the band’s music.
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In the evening, the bride performs Neer Edpa or Ganga Puje. She removes foot ornaments, wears silver toe rings and a vasthra, then prays at the sacred lamp before heading to the well with women and the band.
She drops rice, betel leaves, areca nuts, and coconut halves into the well, then draws water into pots. Balancing them on her head, she returns slowly while family members dance ahead of her, welcoming her into the household.
The water pots are placed under the sacred lamp symbolising her role in the new home.
For Kombarek Kootuva, the bride is led to the bridal chamber with her veil covering her face. The groom prays at the sacred lamp before entering. He lifts her veil and presents her with an ornament, usually a gold wedding band.
With this, the elaborate Kodava wedding journey reaches its emotional conclusion.