Seemantham is a traditional Telugu baby shower celebrated during pregnancy to bless the mom-to-be with love, prayers, and good wishes for a safe and healthy delivery. Telugu Seemantham ceremony is usually held when the expectant mother completes her 5th, 7th, or 9th month of pregnancy.
Not all Telugu families follow this tradition—my parents, for instance, don’t have the tradition of Sreemantham, but my in-laws do, so we celebrate it as part of my Husband’s tradition. I truly cherished the experience the first time around when I was pregnant with V. It was a low-key, intimate event with just a handful of people in our living room, which turned out to be one of the most memorable days of my pregnancy back then.
This time, with my second pregnancy, I was eagerly looking forward to the day, and it turned out to be beyond anything I could have imagined. It became one of those cherished moments that will always stay with me. If I had to describe it in one word, it felt like a wedding celebration—not your own, where you’re caught up in the stress and responsibilities, but like your sibling’s, where you get to fully enjoy every moment with your parents, best friends, and close cousins. It was truly joyful!
We don’t usually host elaborate events—our celebrations are often simple gatherings in the living room or backyard with a few close loved ones. But for my baby shower, we went all in, and I loved having everyone under one roof.
The last month of pregnancy can be an emotional roller coaster, filled with anxious thoughts and physical discomfort. But moments like these lift your spirits and remind you just how loved and supported you are. They give you the courage and joy to embrace the journey ahead.
I’m sharing our Seemantham celebration in two parts because there’s just so much to share! In this post, you’ll find all the details about how we did the décor, along with a handy essential checklist to help you plan your celebration stress-free. so without further ado, let’s get into the post-
Telugu Seemantham Decor
For my Sreemantham, I envisioned a banana leaf backdrop, but I wasn’t happy with the look of the fabric options. So, I decided to create my own reusable banana leaf backdrop. It took half a day to put together, and my best friend truly went above and beyond to bring my vision to life. The idea was inspired by a video I watched last year on a similar project. Below, I’ll share a step-by-step guide on how we created this backdrop. If you decide to make your own, share pictures with me on Instagram!
Telugu Seemantham Reusable Banana Leaf backdrop
We used a garden mesh fence as the base for sticking the banana leaves for a few reasons-
- I wanted the backdrop to be reusable, and the mesh was perfect since it folds up easily for storage.
- It also had just the right weight to stay in place while giving the leaves a sturdy surface to stick to.
- The mesh intersections made it easy to glue the leaves securely.
We used our trusty backdrop stand (last seen here, here, and here) to hang the garden mesh and secured it at the top with zip ties that came with the garden mesh.
We booked a banquet hall at a nearby hotel for the event. The room had an 8-foot ceiling—a crucial detail to consider if you’re putting the backdrop yourself. We adjusted our decor stand to be 7 feet tall and 7.5 feet wide to fit the space perfectly.
Now that we have the base ready, it’s time to attach the banana leaves to the backdrop. I bought two different sizes of banana leaves—extra-large ones, which we placed side by side (refer to the picture above). This created some gaps, which we filled by adding the medium-sized banana leaves.
We tried using packaging tape and regular glue to attach the leaves, but neither worked. The only thing that kept them in place was hot glue.
We used 4 sets of extra-large banana leaves and 2 sets of medium-sized ones (that is a total of 60 banana leaves) for a 7 x 7.5-foot backdrop.
For the traditional look I envisioned, we incorporated a classic mix of green, yellow, and hints of red and gold. This combination just felt so nostalgic, bringing that warm, vintage Sreemantham vibe that instantly made the setup feel special and meaningful.
We hung two 5.5-ft yellow lily garlands on either end, followed by a 3-ft yellow lily garland, using a total of two 5.5-ft sets and one 3-ft set.
I used the marigold garlands to cover the top of the backdrop stand and used these garland sets to create two arcs.
To fill the gap between the two arcs, I added the lotus and Ganesha cutouts we already had. The gold color instantly stood out, adding a touch of richness to the overall decor.
The center of the backdrop was filled with Chamathi and Mogra Gajras, it took around 16-17 gajra sets to complete the look. This was my favorite addition—it took the backdrop to a whole new level, giving it a complete traditional look.
The Seemantham doll set is from Sri Antiquess. They were terrific to work with and very responsive to DMs on IG. They customized my order just the way I wanted and managed to deliver it to my parents’ address in India in less than a week! The packaging was impeccable, I got everything without any damage. The whole process was such a breeze. I even got the dolls’ outfits to match the colors we wore for the event. They weren’t an exact match, but were close!
Backdrop Decor Details
Backdrop Stand (adjusted to 7 feet tall and 7.5 feet wide)
Extra-large Banana Leaves (4 sets)
Medium-sized Banana Leaves (2 sets)
5.5-ft yellow lily garlands (2 sets)
3-ft yellow lily garland (1 set)
Marigold Garlands (used to cover the top backdrop stand)
U Shape Garland Sets (used to create arcs)
Chamathi and Mogra Gajras (16-17)
Seemantham Doll Set Sri Antiquess
Telugu Seemantham Preparations & Essential Checklist
Now that we’ve checked off the décor, let’s dive into the other important elements you’ll need for the Seemantham. I’ll walk you through the essentials you need for organizing Seemantham, my experience, and tips to make the whole process smoother and easier for you.
1. Choose an auspicious date for the event
I wanted to have the Seemantham as soon as I entered my ninth month. Knowing anything could happen at that stage felt a little risky, but I hadn’t planned a maternity photoshoot to capture my full belly. In my mind, the Seemantham would be that moment, something I could look back on and cherish as a beautiful memory of my fully blossomed bump.
We initially hoped for a weekend date, but all the auspicious dates available on weekends felt too close to my due date. So, we picked a Friday instead. Even though it was a weekday, all my friends and family made it, and that made the day even more special.
2. Pick the Venue, Guest List, And Guest Accommodation
Many of our friends and family came from all over—from Ohio, New Jersey, Texas, and Chicago, and my sister-in-law even traveled from Canada. We rented an Airbnb nearby, mainly to use as a place to get ready and sleep. For everything else, we gathered at our home, cooking meals together, playing games, and sharing lots of laughs and conversations.
For the event itself, we booked a banquet hall at a nearby hotel. I highly recommend doing this as early as possible—finding a venue close to home makes everything so much easier, from transporting the decorations to coordinating food and logistics. It truly helped keep the whole process quick and efficient.
3. Prepare the Telugu Seemantham Invitation
I bought this invitation design off Etsy for $7 (also love this one a lot—honestly, I might have picked it if I had seen it earlier!) and uploaded it to e-evite. Within an hour, I had a beautiful e-invite ready to send out. I also used this picture to send as an invitation via text and WhatsApp.
Before that, I spent a whole week trying to find a caricature artist and ended up hiring someone on Etsy (won’t RECOMMEND). She was unresponsive, missed the deadline, and the caricature didn’t resemble us. By the time she finally sent it, we had already sent out the invitations. Even though I never used the caricature and never will, I didn’t ask for a refund because it was handmade.
4. Decide on the Decor, Outfits, and Jewelry For your Telugu Seemantham
Coordinating matching outfits and sourcing decor can be the most time-consuming part, especially if you’re doing it all yourself. From picking fabrics and finalizing designs to tailoring and finding decor items, it takes time and effort. If it feels overwhelming, consider outsourcing parts of the process, like hiring a decorator or buying outfits instead of customizing.
I wanted a very traditional look to match our overall decor, so I picked a classic color saree and paired it with all my wedding jewelry for a no-brainer look and also to relive those special memories. I’ll be sharing all the details about our outfits and the Telugu Seemantham process we followed in part 2.
Some tips on Family Coordinated Outfits
- Opt for whites and creams that can be easily customized and look very traditional without much effort.
- Complement prints with solids– it’s a great way to create a cohesive look without overwhelming the eye. I’m not a fan of everyone wearing prints; it can be tricky to find matching patterns or get them custom-made, which just adds unnecessary pressure. If you’re choosing a printed saree like a floral Kanjeevaram or Kalamkari, pick a few colors from the saree and coordinate the men’s kurtas and kids’ outfits in those shades for a balanced and elegant look.
- Re-style and Repeat– there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wearing something you already own. Traditionally, the mom-to-be wears a new saree, but if that’s not possible, re-wear a saree from your wedding and pair it with the same jewelry. Trust me, there’s something incredibly meaningful about celebrating another milestone in an outfit that already holds so much emotional value. I chose to wear all my wedding jewelry again—not because I couldn’t buy new pieces, but because I wanted to relive that joy and truly enjoy decking up in something that already means so much to me.
5. Hire a Photographer
Depending on the scale of your event, I highly recommend hiring a professional photographer. For my first baby shower, we didn’t have one—our friends took a few quick photos, and that was it. This time, since we put so much thought and effort into the décor and details, I wanted everything to be captured beautifully. Having those special moments professionally documented makes all the difference.
We skipped hiring a videographer since it didn’t fit into our budget, but if you can find a good package that includes one, it’s worth considering. Videos bring emotions to life in a way that photos sometimes can’t.
6. Arrange the Fruit and sweets baskets to offer to the mother-to-be
I used the above floral Urli or Taj bowls to display the fruits and sweets. I arranged everything on plates that sat perfectly atop the Taj bowls, then wrapped them in clear cellophane and placed them on the bases to elevate the overall presentation. The Brass Taj Urli sets I used are from Amazon India—much more affordable compared to similar options in the U.S. I picked up two different sets (this and this), and for the price, they looked beautiful and truly elevated the overall décor. Here are some options you can shop in the U.S. if you are short on time or can’t get it from India- this set from Amazon (exactly the one we have) and this one from Etsy.
Taj Urli Decor Stands
Taj Urli Set #1 | Taj Urli Set #2
more options in the US below-
same one that we own in the US site here
7. Arrange 4 Separate Plates – One for Bangles, One for Traditional Items like Sindoor, One for the saree to be offered, and One for Mangala Aarthi
Arrange Kumkuma, Gandham (sandalwood paste), Akshintalu (turmeric rice), and Panneeru on a plate. This will be used to bless the mom-to-be and to apply Bottu and Gandham to the female guests during the event. Also, prepare the Mangala Harathi plate—it should include a small deepam (lamp), a cotton wick, oil or ghee, and a matchbox or candle lighter for lighting.
If you can get fresh mallipullu (jasmine garlands), get them for all the female guests. We ordered ours from Vivek Flowers. Our cousins were visiting from New Jersey and picked them up for us, but you can also order online and have them shipped directly to your address
Also, arrange a bangle plate with a mix of colors—some matching your saree and others in classic red and green. These are for the female guests to adorn the mom-to-be with bangles, a beautiful and symbolic part of the tradition.
As part of the ritual, the mother-in-law or the mom offers a saree to the mom-to-be. Arrange the new saree, blouse piece, thambulam, and glass bangles (preferably red and green) on a plate for easy access.
8. Prepare or Order Chalimidi
Chalimidi, a sweet made with rice flour, jaggery, and dry coconut chunks, is a must-have for Telugu Seemantham as part of Seemantham. It’s customarily offered to the mom-to-be and also included in the return favors. My parents had it specially made in India and brought it with them when they arrived a week before the event.
9. Decide on the food menu and Catering
Whether it’s a big celebration or a small gathering, we always make sure to include some home-cooked dishes. We followed the same tradition for my baby shower—we catered biryani and appetizers and complemented them with a few homemade South Indian dishes. Here’s a look at everything we served at the baby shower!
- Gutti Vankaya Biryani (this was a HUGE hit). We ordered it from Biryani and Bakers inside Lotte Plaza in Catonsville, MD.
- Babycorn Manchurian (from Briyani and Bakers)
- Cauliflower Manchuria (from Briyani and Bakers; this was the only item that wasn’t up to the mark)
- Sambar – (made at home -all the home-cooked dishes were a HIT too)
- Okra Fry with Peanuts (made at home)
- White rice (made at home)
- Raita (made at home)
- Kajja and Boondhi Ladoo for Dessert (ordered these in New Jersey, and our cousins picked them up for us)
10. Prepare the return gift bags for the guests beforehand
For the return gifts, I packed a blouse piece, a glass bangle set, pasupu kumkuma, oranges, and two types of sweets—chalimidi and ladoo.
Instead of using a traditional gift bag, I went with simple brown paper bags with gold accents. These felt more reusable and versatile, unlike traditional bags, which aren’t always easy to repurpose or reuse.
I ordered glass bangles in a mix of sizes—mostly 2-6, with a few sets in 2-4 and 2-8—to accommodate everyone. I chose classic colors like red, pink, green, and purple. I got them from Mirdhuart. While the bangle sets were beautiful, they were a bit pricey, and unfortunately, the packaging wasn’t great—some broke by the time I opened the box.
Tip: Add a small sticky note with the bangle size on each gift bag so guests can easily pick the one that fits them. That’s exactly what I did, and it made the process so much smoother!
We didn’t include any baby shower games—it was already evening by the time the event and lunch wrapped up. Instead, we all gathered at our home after changing, we played Pictionary and cards, and spent the rest of the night enjoying heartfelt conversations and laughter!
That’s a wrap on all the décor and Seemantham essentials! I hope this post sparks some inspiration—these decor ideas can easily be adapted for any traditional celebration.
And yes, I know it’s been a while—only took me five months to finally pull it all together (Life with a baby and a toddler has been equal parts heartwarming and exhausting!). It brought tears to my eyes as I finally hit publish on something I’ve been holding onto for five months.
Part 2 goes live tomorrow—don’t forget to check back for all the outfit details and the Seemantham procedure we followed!
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