Maharashtrian weddings are best known for all the fun rituals and the vibrance in the aura. While some rituals might vary depending upon the beliefs of people, the simplicity and the authenticity remains intact.
The rituals begin when the horoscopes of the bride and the groom are matched. Once matched, a favourable day is decided for the wedding and other rituals.
Let us take a quick look at all these fun-filled rituals and understanding their significance.
- The Sakhar Puda:
The engagement ceremony is called “Sakhar Puda” in Marathi. The groom’s family gifts the bride a Saree and sweets to mark the auspiciousness of this day. The bride and the groom then exchange rings and are then declared ‘engaged’.
- The Kelvan:
The “Kelvan” ceremony is regarded as one of the important ceremonies in a Marathi wedding. The bride and the groom, and their respective families, ask their ‘kuldevta’ (family god) to bless this happy union with prosperity and positivity. The families of both the parties invite each other for a meal together and offer gifts. This ceremony is meant to enhance the bond between two families who would soon become one.
- The Halad Chadavne:
This ceremony is like the “Haldi” ceremony in the weddings of most religions. Haldi (turmeric) paste is applied to the hands and feet of the bride and groom, and their family members. It is a ceremony filled with fun and frolic and is considered auspicious. It also gives the “soon-to-be” married couple the wedding radiance.
- The Seeman Puja and Antarpat Ritual:
These rituals are carried out when the groom arrives at the wedding destination. The bride’s parents wash the feet of the groom and offer him gifts and blessings.
The Antarpat ritual is commenced when the groom reaches the mandap. The bride and the groom are not allowed to see each other initially. Thus, they are separated with a silk shawl. This ritual kind-of teases the bride and the groom just before their union.
- The Sankalp Ritual:
Once the holy verses are completed, the bride and the groom see each other for the first time in the holy mandap. Family members and other guests shower the couple with unbroken rice, known as akshata, which is regarded lucky. The bride and the groom then exchange garlands.
- The Kanyadaan and Satapadhi Ritual:
The bride’s father places his daughter’s hand in the groom’s hand. The groom then applies sindoor to the bride’s forehead and ties mangalsutra around her neck.
In the Satapadhi ritual, the couple gives each other seven vows and commences the new journey of life together.
- The Karmasampati Ritual:
When all the holy rituals are done, the bride’s father and brothers playfully twist the groom’s ear. This is to remind the groom to take good care of their daughter and sister respectively and that they invest their trust and belief in him. Families of both the parties then have a grand meal together.
- The Varat Ritual and the Grihapravesh:
The bride is bid farewell from her house as she leaves with the groom to start a new life. When the newlyweds reach the groom’s house, the bride is welcomed by the groom’s family. Here, the mother-in-law does an aarti and washes the couple’s feet with water and milk. The bride then enters the house with her right foot after softly kicking the kalash of rice (rice is considered positive).
India is a country that believes in the notion of ‘Unity is Diversity’. The Art Of Living Matrimony respects and warmly embraces the uniqueness of every religion and its peculiar traditions. Similarly, it is renowned for its Marathi matrimony. Art Of Living Matrimony, since its inception, has managed to be a platform where people connect and decide to share their lives together.
