Sobhita Dhulipala, the celebrated actress known for her stellar performances in films and web series, recently brought a touch of nostalgia and tradition to her pre-wedding festivities. The actress, set to tie the knot with Tollywood star Naga Chaitanya, wore heirloom jewellery belonging to her mother and grandmother for the raata ceremony, embracing her roots with grace and elegance.

In many Telugu customs, the Raata ceremony is a crucial pre-wedding ritual that signifies a milestone before the bride is legally wed. Sacred objects such as pancha loha, navaratan (nine jewels), and navadhaanya (nine grains) are used to worship the leaves of mango, jamun, and jammi trees, which are planted beside a bamboo pole at this ritual. The deities of all eight directions and the pancha bhuta (five elements) are invoked in prayers while a holy potli (bag) is fastened to the pole. It is said that this ceremony will bless and cleanse the bride before her marriage.

Sobhita participated in the Mangalasnaanam ritual, a Telugu rendition of the Haldi ceremony after the Raata ceremony. During this auspicious pre-wedding washing ritual, turmeric paste is applied to the bride's body.

In a private ceremony held in Hyderabad in August, Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala exchanged vows in front of their family and friends. Superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni, the father of Naga Chaitanya, shared images of his son and Sobhita from their engagement ceremony on his X account to announce the good news. On December 4, Chaitanya and Sobhita will tie the knot in Hyderabad.

Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya’s union has captured the attention of fans across the country, who are eager to witness the convergence of two dynamic stars. As the wedding day approaches, the couple continues to keep their celebrations rooted in tradition while adding personal touches that reflect their values.