Udaipur, the royal capital, is currently gearing up for one of the biggest celebrity weddings of 2026. After years of fan-trickery, the “National Crush” Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, the Tollywood megastar, are set to tie the knot on February 26, 2026. And just as the main event begins to dwindle, the pre-wedding festive celebrations were punctuated by a riotous sunset on Wednesday, February 25, that is the traditional Haldi ceremony.
Performed at the opulent ITC Mementos Udaipur (a part of Aravalli), the ceremony is also that of a masterclass in intimate elegance. Although their fan name now remains “VIROSH,” the couple publicly shared rare glimpses of the celebration that fused traditional aesthetics with a playful modernity.
A Holi-Themed Haldi Celebration
The Haldi ceremony Wednesday morning wasn’t exactly a peaceful ritual. The venue had become an elaborate plant paradise with round seating arrangements framed in pink and yellow flowers.
- Decor: Vijay gave a peeks at the decor that included paper flower installations and the couple's sweet nickname: "Vijay and Rishie."
- Fun Element: Stepping away from traditional solemn ceremonies, the event became a “Holi-styled” party. Guests participated with pichkaris (water guns), and a vibrant mural of the couple’s beloved pet dogs, Aura and Storm, added a rich personal element to the celebrations.
Sangeet night: A Gallery of Love
After the sun-drenched Haldi, the evening on February 25th was the Sangeet ceremony. The lawn of the ITC Mementos was festooned in romantic installations that narrated the couple’s journey in effect. Rather than typical floral backgrounds, the aisle was lined with banners featuring unseen personal pictures of the couple from casual car selfies to holiday snapshots taken over their years of dating.
- Special Guest list: Ashika Ranganath and More Although the wedding has only 100 guests, the couple has welcomed several friends who have journeyed with their bride and groom since the beginning, although it is a strictly private affair.
- Sandalwood Representation: Kannada star Ashika Ranganath, Rashmika's close friend from the start of their career, flew into Udaipur to accompany the bride. Ashika posted photos of herself dressed in bright yellow with the theme of the day.
- Industry FRIENDS: Notable attendees at the venue include director Tharun Bhascker (the director of Vijay's breakout Pelli Choopulu), actress Eesha Rebba, director Rahul Ravindran and stylist Shravya Varma.
- Security & privacy: To maintain the intimacy of the event, the couple has a zero-phone policy for the main rituals.
What is Next for the Newly Weddings?
The “Wedding of VIROSH” will culminate on February 26 with two separate ceremonies, with one morning serving a Telugu ritual to commemorate Vijay’s culture and another evening for a Kodava to honour Rashmika’s Coorgi ancestry.
