Kashi Yatra is a fun filled ritual in Indian wedding. In this the Groom who has just returned from Gurukul for wedding, gets jittery seeing his life changing around him and feeling his control slipping away, plans to travel to Kashi. Kashi is the place of spiritual importance in our custom where people wash away their sins, meditate to get close to the lord almighty.

So when the groom, walks to Kashi, the father of the bride stops him midway and asks him to return and promises the hand of his daughter in marriage. He persuades him to take Gruhastam(Family life) opposed to brahmacharyam(celibacy) and how his daughter the epitome of good qualities will stand by him and let him see the path to the lord through family life.

In modern days this ritual is just followed as fun, because imagine a techie of today walking in flip flops with a walking stick, bamboo hand fan and coconuts walking under umbrella dressed in Dhoti, to Kashi. 

Hope you enjoy this update.

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Parthavi was sleeping with Vasudhara, Bhoomi and Dhitvi who had collapsed on each other and were sleeping in a heap.

Parthavi smiled as her sleep was slowly ebbing away and her thoughts wandered to last night after they said Good nights.

"Ahemm.."

Parthavi who was on the way to her room turned and cleared her throat. Raghunandhu stopped in his tracks smiling and turned to the call.

They closed the distance between them and Raghunandhu looked at Parthavi and his brows furrowed.

"What happened Parthavi?"

"I.. Well.."

She stammered.

"I thought we had passed that phase where we were hesitant to share our thoughts to each other Parthavi. What is it? Tell me. Don't let it eat you up from the inside."

Parthavi was still playing with the edge of her saree pallu and her eyes mirrored her tension.

Smiling Raghunandhu caught her hands that were pulling and twisting and twirling the pallu and brought it near his lips.

"Cheppeyi Parthavi."

He urged in his soft voice that gave her the strength to put forward her worries.

"Er.. Emm.. I.. Do you mind if I work after marriage?"

Raghunandhu blinked for a moment and then threw back his head and laughed. A laughter that had Parthavi mesmerised.

"Parthavi! When did I ever say that you were going to sit at home and waste away in Kitchen. You are going to work. If you want you can manage our firm too. You see I am just M. Arch and not MBA."

"You are managing it well. But before I join you, I want to work outside. Just for experience."

"It's your decision Parthavi. Whatever gave you the idea that I will stand against this wish of yours? Haven't I told you that I would like my wife to be herself. Her independent self."

"Leduuu.. Mahika Akka is not working kada? Her designs are good. She only got all my wedding blouses ready. But.."

Raghunandhu shook his head sadly.

"Vathina's parents could not afford to give her education in Fashion designing. Vathina's speciality was ethnic wears. But circumstances.. She was working as one of the tailors in a textile shop. Annaiyya actually fell in love with the way she carried herself despite all those. He used to leave early from home just to get a glimpse of her walking to her workplace. We found out and got them married. Annaiyya many times asked her to complete her education. But she was stubborn."

"For not completing?"

"When she came to know about our family and Peddanana owning a weaving place, she wanted to work only there. She strictly said that she will complete her education only then."

Parthavi smiled. She liked the family already and now she liked these women even more.

"Hm.. By the way, the interview I messed up. I got the job. I have informed them that I will join a month later. They are in no hurry."

"Oho.. So this late night interview session was for this reason? What is the position?"

"Junior Executive."

"Did you get clarity with your job and your responsibilities? Because sometimes on the management side, people will try pushing jobs onto other people's heads."

"I am very clear. You know my negotiation skills?"

"But you said you messed up?"

"Well, I thought I messed up with some of the questions. But it looks like they were looking for someone messed up like me."

She chuckled. Raghunandhu shook his head. But seeing no one around, he suddenly moved closer and pulled her to him wounding his arm around her waist.

"Hey.. hey.. Hey..?"

Parthavi was taken aback as she hit his front.

"You are a mess that I would like beside me."

She looked up at him but then looked down immediately as if something hit her hard. But then she smirked. Her finger hooked to the fly of his pant making his eyes widen.

"Hey?"

He looked up at her and that is when he noticed the naughty glint. Before he knew, a peck landed close to his lips and next he knew, he was being pushed away and Parthavi ran away giggling.

Raghunandhu chuckling and shaking his head, moved to his room.

"OSEI.. PARTHAVI!"

Parthavi opened her eyes from the memory of the beautiful memory and yawned wide as she sat up on the bed only to see her mother Prabhavathy standing there frowning at her while Bhoomi stood behind her stifling her giggles.

"What? Where is the fire?"

She said letting another yawn.

"Fire ente? Get ready. Wear a nice saree."

"What?"

"Sri rama! Do you remember that you are getting married today?"

"Yes, at eight in the morning. Why are you waking me up at four?"

"Bhoomi.. Please put some sense into that muddled brain of hers and bring her to the outer parking area in front of the house. Ethuruchallu should start within half an hour."

Bhoomi nodded and Prabhavathy went out.

"Enti Challali? Should we throw something?"

Bhoomi giggled.

"Ledu Parthavi. Early morning on the day of the wedding, there is a ritual called Ethuru Challu. Wear a nice and simple saree and get ready."

Yawning wide, Parthavi was about to go back to sleep.

"Malli padukunnavo.. Osei Parthavi!"

Prabhavathy's call made Parthavi run around looking for her saree, paste and brush. Bhoomi laughed waking up Dhitvi in the process.

Soon both the families stood in the lobby area of the Akkayyapalem house facing each other.

Shankaram Shastry and Narasimha Shastry stood between the families while Navaneethakrishnudu, Shivaprasad, Vrushanka and Vedmohan held a long cloth covering the family above their heads.

"Pray to your Kula Devatha. Take these akshadalu and throw it on each others' heads."

Parthavi tried very hard to contain a yawn and failed miserably making everyone laugh.

"Amma Pelli Koothuru.. This is not the time to sleep. Do as instructed."

Shankaram Shastry warned Parthavi who yawned wide and concentrated on the ritual and did as told.

Standing beneath the cloth, both families took blessing from the god to start the wedding.

"Now, turn towards the threshold and walk inside, beneath the cloth. Do not walk out of the cloth as the sky can cast evil eyes. Kutumbaniki drushti thagalochu. Nadavandi."

Narasimha shastry said and proceeded in the front with others following him. Navaneethakrishnudu, Vrushanka, Shivaprasad and Vedmohan held up the cloth carefully as the bride and groom's family moved inside.

Both the families were taken to the makeshift altar that was put up in the house and made to sit down.

"Brothers in law of the Bride's father and Groom's father and the groom please come up."

"Shastry garu, My brother passed away."

Durga said.

"His son or your elder Daughter in law's brother who is sitting in Groom's mother's place can also come."

Mahika called her brother, Ghana to come up to perform as instructed.

The brothers in law and their wives were asked to give Ghandham kumkuma to the and to apply oil on their heads for Mangala Snanam.

"Shivaprasad Garu and Ghana garu, please come forward along with brother in law to the groom and sister in law to the bride."

As instructed they came up along with Vrushanka and Shantha.

"Shivaprasad garu, apply oil on your brother in law's head and your wife should do the same to your sister and then your wife should keep Nalugu to your sister. Similarly you Ghana garu and your wife, please proceed."

They did as they were instructed.

"Now apply oil on Bride and Groom's head. Groom's sister, keep Nalugu to the bride and Bride's brother apply nalugu to the groom."

Parthavi and Raghunandhu's heads were being used as tabela and carpet as Shivaprasad and Ghana oiled their heads.

"Appa.. Ghana, leave him."

Mahika said feeling sorry for the poor fellow.

"Ledu Akka, remember how he used to trouble me? One Diwali, he replaced Shikakai powder with sneezing powder when he came to our house with Athaiyya's homemade sweets and savories. I am not letting my one and only chance go."

And Parthavi was giving trouble to Shivaprasad for hitting her head hardly in the name of applying oil. It created a few waves of laughter. Shantha came and applied turmeric and sandalwood paste on Parthavi's feet and cheeks and adorned her with kumkuma and blessed her with Akshadalu. Same Vrushanka did for Raghunandhu.

"Now all six of you, go and take bath."

Shankaram Shasty said.

"Amma Mahika, you and your husband should be here as soon as possible along with Pelli Kumarudu. We have lots to do including Kashi Yatra and all. So make it quick."

"Avunu le Shastry garu. As if you think this fellow is going to let any one of us be late. He was the one who woke up before even the Alarm could go off and woke all others too. If we get any late, he might get an anxiety attack and might attack all of us."

Said Shantha making everyone laugh while Raghunandhu stood scowling at her.

Parthavi grinned at him which made his scowl turn into a beautiful smile which caused others to laugh more.

"Hmm hmm.. All this enthusiasm is only until people get married. After that? Huh! Anyways.. Get ready."

Sudaramudu chased others as the time was pausing away.

All moved away and as they were about to exit, Raghunandhu turned with a smile and Parthavi who was already looking at him gave him a wink that made his ears turn the color of a ripe tomato.

"Enough, Turn already Parthavi."

Ishaani and Bhoomi nudged, making her turn as quickly as possible.

"Rei! Behave like a groom. Look at you feeling shy like a bride! Karma"

Maanas hit his forehead as they all exited to their proposed rooms.

Soon, the groom's family was out to start with the rituals for the day.

"Nayna Pelli Kumara."

Called Narasimha Shastry as Shankaram Shastry was going around the house spraying holy water to purify it for the sake of the wedding.

Raghunandhu came to the altar with Bhargava and Mahika sat there as per the instructions.

"You did Pelli Sankalpam yesterday when you started the Vratham. Now, where are the Swarna Rajatha Yagnopaveetham that you were made to wear yesterday?"

Raghunandhu showed the golden and Silver threads that he was made to wear across his torso.

"Good. Now hold that and do as I say!"

He did as he was asked.

"Now, call your mother in law as she should get you ready for the Kashi yatra."

Narasimha Shastry said.

"But before that, come to the side, we will get you properly into the Panche."

He said and tied the panche properly and the other half of the Dhoti went around his shoulders covering him completely.

"Now, Bride's mother.."

Prabhavathy went to the Altar with Comb and Kajal stick in her hand which made Raghunandhu widen his eyes.

"Like I said, she needs to get you ready. She needs to make you look like a groom worthy for her daughter."

Shankaram Shastry said. Prabhavathy laughed.

"He is more than worthy. But technically and traditionally speaking, for a mother, her daughter is the beauty in all world and no man can match up to the beauty. So to satisfy her own thoughts, the bride's mother get the groom ready by herself so that he will look good in her eyes, a perfect match for her daughter."

She explained.

"Seeing all this, the groom, that is you.. Should get jitters and also angry at the way the mother of the bride behaves and leave to Kashi saying, you want no bride, no mother in law, no family.. Nothing. You would feel as if, becoming a Sanyasi is better than becoming a samsari and getting into the family."

The Preists explained as Prabhavthy combed, pretended to comb Raghunandhu's hair and then tried to apply Kohl to his eyes. Raghunandhu who had no idea about all these was taken aback and also kept blinking his eyes.

"Nayna Pelli Kumara.. Let your Athagaru do shringaram to you. How can she if you keep blinking your eyes how will she apply Kohl?"

"Akka.."

Raghunandhu called the one who could rescue him. But she was busy with many other things as she was the honorable sister in law of the bride.

"Bava.. Please stay still."

Vrushanka tried to calm him down. But nothing helped. At last it was Vasudhara who came to his rescue. Prabhavathy's rescue to be honest.

"Bava, can you please look behind me? There is a mirror that is kept near the hall door for warding off evil eyes."

Raghunandhu looked there as Vasudhara slowly started applying kohl to his eyes.

"Just try looking into that mirror. You will find something interesting."

Just like she said, he could see the reflection of Parthavi who was sitting in the room that was facing the mirror from the side.

She was getting dressed up for the wedding in her madhuparkam saree. She looked beautiful in that Yellow saree with a red blouse. Her hair was let loose as Kala was getting her hair done for the ceremony. Her hair was supposed to be braided. But she had layers and Kala was trying to pin it with not so many pins which irritated her. It was such a cute scene. Raghunandhu contained his chuckle.

"Done!"

Vasudhara announced bringing him back. He looked around lost and when he looked back at the mirror the door to the room was closed and the mirror showed only the closed door making him pout. He looked around to see everyone chuckled.

"Good idea Ammayi."

Vrushanka said, winking.

"Thanks ra annaiyya"

Vasudhara said chuckling. Raghunandhu looked clueless.

"Enti Bava? Did not understand?"

He pouted, shaking his head.

"I only asked Bhoomi to keep the door open. What else can I do? You were giving tough time to amma not letting her keep kohl to your eyes. So I had to get into a little gameplay. You know.. Ahem.. Now you see this mirror. You look so handsome with the kohl. Amma, nuvu drushti chukka pettu"

She said as she moved away holding the mirror in front of his face as Prabhavathy adorned his right cheek with a black dot to ward off evil eyes.

Raghunandhu cutely smiled looking at his reflection. Then he looked at Prabhavathy.

"Do I match your daughter?"

He asked Prabhavathy making her chuckle.

"You are more than a match. You are perfect, Alludu."

She said clicking her fingers on her forehead.

"Okay, now Bava maridi of Pelli kumara."

Vrushanka looked alert.

"Now you should give your Bava to be all the Kashi yatra vastu. The umbrella, a pair of slippers, a book, coconut and a stick."

Shankaram shastry said.

"Nayna pelli kumara. Now after the stunt by the bride's mother, you should get irritated, being jittery, you should leave to kashi after you inform your parents. Okay?"

Narasimha Shastry said and Raghunandhu nodded.

"Good. Now parents give him permission. His friends cheer him on. His Bava, hold the umbrella open for him. Now, you walk out."

Shastry instructed and Raghunandhu walked.

"Come on bava. You are too slow. This is your chance. Run!"

Vasudhara said as Raghunadhu walked beneath the beautifully decorated umbrella that Vrushanka held open for him.

"True bro, this is your chance. Take off"

Prithvi said juggling coconut in his hand and Dhitvi.

"I am running nowhere. If you keep troubling me, I will run back into the room."

Raghunandhu growled, making everyone laugh and cheer as he walked outside the house.

"What is all the noise?"

Parthavi asked Bhoomi who was standing near the door and laughing. Parthavi was already irritated as Kala was taking all the time in the world to make her hair and people were cheering outside?

"Kashi yatra has started Parthu. Kala hurry up."

She said laughing.

"What is there to laugh in that?"

"All are cheering your handsome groom to take the chance and run away so that he doesn't have to tolerate you."

"What the?"

Parthavi asked, growling.

"Don't worry. Your groom warned them he might run back instead of the kashi yatra if they keep saying that way."

Bhoomi giggled. Kala also chuckled moving away looking at her handicraft.

"Better"

She said. Parthavi also seconded it.

"It is better. If he let them cheer him on"

She said grinding her teeth. Kala facepalmed.

"I said about your hairdo!"

Kala said.

"Vadileyi Kala. She is in the world of Raghunandhu. Is her make up done?"

Harshita asked.

"All done. Just drushti chukka is baki."

Kala said.

"I will do that."

Manga said entering. She took a little kohl in her ring finger and adorned Parthavi's cheeks with a small black dot and clicked her fingers.

"Evaru drushti thagalakunda undali."

She prayed.

"Kashi yatra done?"

"Her father is running behind the groom to stop him. Parthavi might be called any moment."

Outside, Hariharan called his son in law.

"Alludu!"

He was accompanied by Prabhavathy.

"Just calling him won't do andi. You must offer him something to make him stop."

Shankaram shastry said.

"If he stops, then only I can offer my daughter. If he keeps running then how can I?"

Hariharan said and Raghunandhu stopped all of a sudden on his tracks making everyone laugh.

"Pelli Kumara, you are not supposed to stop just with the offer of his daughter. You are the groom. Behave!"

Narasimha Shastry said.

"He is offering me the daughter he is even refusing to show me!"

Raghunadhu put forward his complaint, making everyone laugh again.

"You can see her, if you are not running away to Kashi!"

Prabhavathy played along.

"Get me a chair. I will sit here. Get your daughter."

Raghunandhu said sitting on a chair fanning himself with a bamboo fan given to him for this.

"It is not that easy. First you have to relax. Calm down. How can we bring our daughter here when you were about to run to kashi? So first here. Drink this milk and eat this fruit."

Hariharan said as Prabhavathy offered milk and Banana to Raghunandhu who dutifully accepted them.

"Now, let us come to a conclusion. I know you got jittery and feel that brahmacharyam is better. But let me tell you. My daughter is not like her mother. She is very calm and composed and will stand by you in every step of your life. So instead of going to Kashi, stay here and get married to my daughter!"

Hariharan said folding his hands in front of Raghunandhu which Prabhavathy followed.

"Hey hey hey.. No one told me about this and all. I just thought this was something playful. You elders are not supposed to fold your hands to me this way. Mavaiyya.. Athaiyya.."

Raghunadhu was flustered.

"Pelli kumara you are supposed to ask them to promise."

Narasimha Shastry said.

"They will do as they said. I know. But please, mavaiyya athaiyya stand straight."

Raghunandhu said getting up. Durga clicked her finger in front of her son.

"Naa thandre. This is just a game. Even then you are not ready to let go of the respect."

"Amma.."

"Pelli Kumara.. Now put forward your hands."

Narasimha Shastry said.

"Father of the bride, wash the groom's feet. Now mother and father of the bride, keep the coconut on his hands and the mother, pour a little water on it. Father repeat after me."

Shankaram Shastry said and Hariharan repeated..

"I promise you the hand of our daughter in marriage. I promise you that she will stand by you in your happiness and sorrow and will respect you. Please turn back and accept our daughter."

"Pelli kumara say accepted."

Narasimha Shastry instructed.

"I do accept. I will not go to Kashi. I will marry your daughter."

He said and everyone clapped their hands in happiness.

"At least now let me have a glimpse of your daughter?"

Raghunandhu said lightening the situation.

"Thondara! Calm down and look there."

Krishnudu said and pointed to the gate of the house. Raghunandhu looked there and saw Parthavi standing there in her wedding saree, braided hair. She waited with a garland to welcome him and he could not wait. So he took a step towards her and felt him being hoisted in the air.

"Rei.. Annaiyya.. Bava.. Peddanana.. Maanas.. what are you all doing?"

"Pelli koothura.. Our boy is not easy to achieve. He had returned back from Kashi. So you will have to make him bend down to make him a family man."

Rishi said.

They said as they carried him to the gate where Parthavi stood.

"Rei rei.. Too much!"

Parthavi stood gaping at the scene. She always knew that her groom was tall and well built. But when he sat on the shoulders of his uncle, brother and brother in law, he looked even more tall, beyond her reach. And he stole her breath with that shirtless look of his.

That is when she felt herself being hoisted in the air and looked down to see that she was on the shoulders of Vedmohan, Navaneethakrishnudu, Vrushanka and Prithvi.

"Hey hey hey?"

She was about to fall backwards when Sainath and Srinath held her from behind.

"Ammo.. I used to call you enuga.. But you do weigh like one."

Vedmohan said.

"Rei! I will kill you.."

Parthavi warned while the girls cheered them on.

"Bride's uncle, help her garland the groom."

The priests instructed and Shivaprasad held Parthavi's hand as she tried to put the garland around Raghunandhu's neck only to feel him moving away and looked around to see everyone laughing.

"Let me get married in peace! PLEASE!"

Raghunandhu said but no one paid attention to him. Parthavi looked helpless and then looked at Raghunadhu who bent a little forward making everyone move towards her and took the garland from her.

"Rama rama. My son is already clean bowled to my kodalu."

Durga said.

"What else did you expect from him Athaiyya?"

Mahika asked.

"Nothing less. I still remember when Bhargave just jumped down from Nandhu's shoulders and stood before you to take the garland. What else can I expect from the younger one?"

Durga said teasing both her sons and her daughters in law.

"Now Pelli Kumara you turn. Ghana, give him the garland. Pelli Kumara.. Catch your bride."

Narasimha Shastry said. Raghunandhu who took the garland from Ghana looked at Parthavi who twerked her eyebrow smirking. As he was taken forwards to her, her troupe took her backwards beyond his reach. Raghunandhu pouted and Parthavi could not take it. She kicked Vedmohan who was carrying her from the front pushing him forward that took her to Raghunandhu to receive his garland around her neck amongst the laughter.

"Osi nee.. Did you just kick me? Seriously?"

"Anything for that pout!"

"Is that really you Partha?"

Ishaani asked widening her eyes. But Parthavi cared less as they both were made to stand on the ground and walked to the swing that was decorated for them.

"This is your chance until you tie Mangalasutram. Before that you will not get to see your bride. So take your time Pelli Kumara."

The priests said.

Raghunandhu and Parthavi sat on the swing along with Prasiddhi, Prabhav and Dhitvi who was in Raghunadhu's arms. But he never let Parthavi's hand go. Elders swinged the swing slowly.

"This is just a relax time Alludu. Because you see, we have stopped you from running away to Kashi and you demanded that we show our daughter so that you will turn back. Otherwise you will only see your bride when you are done getting married. Understand?"

Prabhavathy said.

"Its okay athaiyya. If your daughter is going to be even like a reflection of you, she will be beautiful in and out. So no problem."

Raghunandhu gave back earning claps and appreciation from everyone.

"Oho Pelli Kumara.. Mothaniki Athagari ni padesav anna maata. You have impressed your mother in law at last."

Narasimha Shastry said.

"I am smart enough to run my own business."

Raghunandhu said and winked at Parthavi. Parthavi's breath held this time. Usually she was the one teasing him while he is the shy one. When did the tables turn? Did she feel heat seeping up her neck? And what was his fingers playing at?

She looked at Raghunandhu who smiled sweetly at her.

"Ahem?"

She cleared her throat softly.

"Yes? What was that?"

"I returned half way from my Kashi Yatra for you. So i do get some privileges right?"

"Opportunist!"

"Well, I am an Architect technically."

"Are you flirting with me?"

"Is that what this is called?"

"Raghu?"

"That is my name!"

"Oh boy!"

She was angry now.

"Are you angry with your groom already? You have a long life ahead."

"Oh I know that. I am just planning a retribution."

"I am eagerly waiting for it, my Miss. HR."

"You will see Mr. Architect."

They smiled looking at people who were shaking their heads at them as if they were gone cases. They just shrugged. Ghana's wife Mahati and Shakthi took Haarthi to the couple and then warded off evil eyes by circling a handful of rice around their heads and threw it around in all directions. Life was colorful.