Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Mantralayam Pilgrims

Hindu weddings are a sacred amalgamation of two souls. Wedding cards are considered auspicious and are offered to the Gods in heaven first, to invite them to the holy commemoration. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has a programme where they send blessings to couples who send their wedding invitation cards with a complete address. The Mantralayam Temple, located in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India, also has a marriage procedure in place, with advance booking required.

Hall booking procedure and cost

The cost of hiring a hall in Mantralayam ranges from Rs.10000 to Rs.35000 (approx.) for 22 hours (4:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.). The halls can accommodate 100 to 350 people and are located within walking distance of the temple. There are AC and non-AC options available.

The hall cost includes rent for one day, water supply, and electricity with minimal usage. The final electricity and water bill will be calculated at the end of the marriage. Food charges are Rs.120 per person (minimum).

Booking is required as the number of marriage halls is limited. A minimum of one to two months of advance booking is advisable. Cancellation, postponement, and prepone are not available for hall bookings, and the booking receipt must be displayed at the time of hall allotment.

The marriage package includes hall booking, seating arrangement, and food arrangements for dinner, snacks, breakfast, and lunch. It also includes a purohit, Nadaswaram band set, generators, tables and chairs, flower bouquets, garlands, and cleaning and serving staff.

For hall decoration and mandap decoration, please contact the temple directly.

Hall types and capacity

The Mantralayam Temple in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India, offers a marriage procedure for Hindu arranged weddings. The temple has marriage halls with a capacity of 100 to 350 members. The cost of renting a hall ranges from Rs.10,000 to Rs.35,000 for 22 hours (4:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.). The cost includes one day's rent, as well as water supply and electricity with minimal usage. The final electricity and water bill will be calculated at the end of the marriage.

The marriage halls come in two types: AC and Non-AC. The location of the halls is within walking distance of the temple. Food charges are Rs.120 per person as a minimum.

It is important to note that advance booking is required, as the number of marriage halls is limited. Cancellation, postponement, or preponement is not available for hall bookings. The booking receipt must be displayed at the time of hall allotment.

Food arrangements

Food is an important part of any wedding celebration, and there are many ways to incorporate it into your special day in Mantralayam. Here are some ideas and considerations for the food arrangements:

Food Charges and Booking:

The Mantralayam Temple marriage package includes food charges of Rs. 120 per person as a minimum. This covers dinner, snacks, breakfast, and lunch. It is important to book in advance, as the number of marriage halls is limited, and food arrangements need to be made accordingly.

Menu Options:

When deciding on the food menu, consider the following ideas to make your wedding unique and memorable:

• Seasonal and Local Produce: Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your dishes. For example, use young cabbages, artichokes, or citrus fruits for winter weddings, or berries and stone fruits for summer weddings.
• Edible Centerpieces: Create edible centerpieces that double as decorations and food. For instance, a cheese platter table runner, a pull-apart brioche flower at the center of each table, or a vase filled with cupcakes.
• Drinks and Cocktails: Offer a range of drinks and cocktails to complement the food. You could have a full bar, signature cocktails, or just beer and wine. Consider having an open bar, a mobile cocktail bar truck, or creating a unique signature cocktail for your wedding.
• Catering and Safety: Decide whether you will use a caterer or cook the food yourself. If using a caterer, ask all the necessary questions to ensure your requirements are met. Be mindful of food safety, especially when serving food during the summer to avoid food poisoning.
• Dietary Requirements: Ensure you cater to various dietary needs, such as vegan or vegetarian options, and avoid common allergens.
• Timing and Quantity: Consider the time of day and duration of your wedding when planning the quantity and type of food. For example, if you have an outdoor wedding during the day, provide refreshing options and enough hydration.

These suggestions can help guide your food arrangements, and you can tailor them to your specific tastes and preferences. Remember to consider the number of guests when planning, as well as any cultural or religious traditions you wish to incorporate into the menu.

Marriage registration procedure

In India, marriage registration is compulsory to validate your marriage legally. A marriage certificate is an important document that can be used as proof of marriage when applying for a passport, changing a maiden name, or for a companion visa.

There are two ways to register your marriage in India: online and offline.

Online Marriage Registration

To register your marriage online, follow these steps:

• Visit the official website of the state where the marriage is taking place.
• Click on the marriage registration online option.
• Fill out the form with all the required details of both spouses.
• Submit the marriage registration form.
• The marriage registrar will call you to schedule an appointment.
• On the day of the appointment, bring all the required documents and two witnesses for verification.

Offline Marriage Registration

Marriages in India can be registered offline under the following Acts:

• The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955
• The Special Marriage Act of 1954

#### Marriage Registration Under the Hindu Marriage Act

The Hindu Marriage Act is applicable to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs, or when someone is converted to these religions. To register a marriage under this Act, the following procedure should be followed:

• Apply to the sub-registrar, Registrar of Marriages, or the Tahsildar of the District where either of the parties resides or where the marriage took place.
• Register the marriage within one month of the marriage date.
• No notice is required.
• Both parties must fill out the application form and submit the required documents, including two photographs of the marriage ceremony, an affidavit of self-declaration (notarized), and proof of ID, address, and date of birth.
• The guardians or parents of each party should be present.
• Both parties must sign the register in the presence of three witnesses.
• The marriage certificate will be issued a few days after applying.

#### Marriage Registration Under the Special Marriage Act

The Special Marriage Act applies to all citizens of India, irrespective of religion. Marriages performed under this Act are called 'Court Marriages'. To register a marriage under this Act, the following procedure should be followed:

• Give notice in writing to the concerned marriage officer in the jurisdiction where at least one of the parties has resided for at least 30 days before giving notice.
• Both partners need to sign the marriage application and submit it to the marriage registrar's office.
• The marriage officer will display the notice of the intended marriage at the marriage office for 30 days.
• If there are any objections, the marriage officer will investigate and may halt the marriage process if necessary.
• If there are no objections, the marriage can proceed.
• Court marriages do not involve traditional customs or rituals. Both partners sign the declaration form of marriage in the presence of the marriage registrar and three witnesses.
• After the signing process, the marriage is legally recognized.
• To receive the official marriage certificate, the couple may apply to the registrar and submit the required documents.

Mantralayam Temple Marriage Procedure

In addition to the legal marriage registration procedure, there is a separate marriage procedure for those wishing to hold their wedding at the Mantralayam Temple. This procedure includes booking a marriage hall, with costs ranging from Rs.10,000 to Rs.35,000, and a capacity of 100 to 350 members. The hall cost includes rent, water supply, and electricity, with a minimum food charge of Rs.120 per person. Advance booking is required, and only Hindu arranged marriages are allowed to be performed at the temple. The final electricity and water bill will be calculated at the end of the marriage. Cancellation, postponement, or preponement is not available for hall bookings. The booking receipt must be displayed at the time of hall allotment.

For marriage registration, the hall manager will issue a marriage receipt, which can be used for registration in the couple's hometown. The following documents are required:

• Bride and groom's Aadhar card photocopies
• Bride and groom's parents' Aadhar card photocopies
• Bride and groom's 10th mark sheet, passport, and birth certificate photocopies
• Three witnesses, along with their Aadhar card photocopies

How to reach Mantralayam

Mantralayam is well-connected by rail and road, with regular rail and bus services to and from the city. The town has its own railway station, Mantralayam Road, which is about 15-16km from the main town. The station is connected to the rest of India and falls on the route of trains bound for Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Delhi. From the railway station, you can take a bus, taxi, auto, or rickshaw to reach the town.

Direct buses to Mantralayam are available from the following cities:

• Hyderabad
• Nandyala
• Tadipatri
• Nellore
• Palamaner
• Aallagadda
• Anantapur
• Giddalur
• Bengaluru
• Hanmakonda
• Thanduru
• Chennai
• Kodhada
• Dharmavaram
• Rajamundry
• Rayadurgam
• Proddaturu
• Vijayawada
• Bellary
• Thungabhadra
• Srisailam
• Yemiganur
• Nagaladinne
• Boodhuru
• Kottala
• Madhavaram
• Kurnool
• Guntur
• Tirupati
• Warangal
• Chittoor
• Panjim
• Mysore
• Pondicherry
• Mumbai
• Coimbatore
• Vizag
• Madurai
• Kochi
• Bhopal
• Trivandrum
• Ahmedabad
• Bhubaneswar
• Lucknow
• Jaipur
• Kolkata
• Patna
• Delhi

The nearest airport to Mantralayam is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, which is approximately 196-236km away. There is no direct flight connectivity to Mantralayam.

Frequently asked questions