In this Telugu ritual, the bride and groom are smeared with turmeric in their respective homes at the muhurtham time (auspicious time) and then given a holy bath with turmeric water to cleanse their body and mind before the sacred ritual of becoming one (the wedding). This event is called ‘Mangala Snanam‘ (‘Mangala’ means holy)

After the bath, the bride and the groom are dressed in the first set of wedding clothes.

This is followed by ‘mangala arthi‘, a small lamp is lit and placed on a plate along with turmeric, vermilion, and sandalwood is circled in front of the bride and groom. This is done to keep them safe from the evil eye, and to seek God’s blessing through all the wedding proceedings.