Tents replacing traditional 'Pandiri'

Traditional ‘pandiri’ (makeshift shamiana)) covered with the branches of sacred trees as a shelter helps the marriage parties keep their cool even under the blazing sun.

People in villages performed weddings at home instead of marriage halls. The pandiri covered with pala poruka gives coolness. 

According to tradition, people erect a pandiri with wooden poles and place the branches of the three trees that are popularly known as pala poruka. It is a fast disappearing tradition with the easy availability of several other options from makeshift tents to marriage halls.

The bridal couples’ families used to put up a new pandiri in front of their house for the marriage. Branches of the Medi or Allaneredi trees are collected from the forests in bullock carts and the cart loaded with the branches of the pala poruka is brought to the house amidst the accompanying band of musicians. 

Ada Rajanna of Ankoli village in Adilabad mandal who supplies pala poruka for marriages said it is used for making shamianas since time immemorial and was considered auspicious. Getting pala poruka in the jungles these days has become difficult due to deforestation, said Rajanna and added that they have to go to long distances to find Medi, Allaneredi trees in the forests unlike in the past.

Providing accommodation was difficult for the large number of people in the villages in summer so the pandiri works as a shelter. There are some rituals should be followed even for removing that pandiri after completing the marriage. But hardly any people opt for this preferring the convenience of city amenities.

Lekkalwar Shankar of Adilabad town said even the shed of the height and distance to be erected in front of the house where marriage taking place is decided to match the size of the house. The pandiri is erected only after performing the traditional ritual of sare.