Unlike other weddings, Maharashtrian weddings are simple yet an ethnic affair. They are comprised of distinctive wedding rituals and traditions in accordance with religious belief which depicts the vibrant culture of Maharashtra. Marathi wedding is too filled with pomp, fun, and excitement that spice up the whole wedding ceremony like other state weddings. Read out the pre-wedding rituals and traditions that are being followed in the traditional Maharashtrian wedding.

Pre Wedding Rituals:

The first step of the Marathi wedding is lagnaach bedi that means finding a suitable match for girl and boy. Then foremost preference is given to horoscopes of the bride and the groom. Gotra should not match and if 18 or more than 18 gunas are matched than it is called the suitable match. It is then followed by bethak where elders of the family discuss things regarding to wedding and auspicious date (Mahurat) of the wedding is finalized to take sacred seven rounds around holy agnikund.

Sakhar Puda

It is a first pre-wedding ritual which is known as Engagement ceremony. The bride sits on a wooden board flanked by her parents and sister in a row.Literally termed as “a packet of sugar”, sakhar puda is given to the bride by bride’s mother in law along with saree, green bangles and other sweet delicacies and Haldi-kumkum tilak are applied to bride’s forehead. After which groom is said to sit on wooden board. Bride’s mother applied haldi-kumkum tilak on groom’s forehead and gives clothes and sakhar puda as gifts. Rings are then exchanged by the would-be couple in the gracious presence of family members and relatives.

Mahurat karane

Mahurat karane is an old age Maharashtrian pre-wedding tradition which is not much seen nowadays. Mahurat karane is a ritual which marks the preparation of wedding festivity. Five married women (suhasini) are invited to pound dried turmeric into a fine powder in an iron mortar that is later used in halad chadavane custom. They also make papads (prepared from lentils and pulses) and sandage (tiny balls made from lentils, spices, and pulses).

Kelvan

In this tradition, a puja is been organized at groom’s and bride’s place respectively to honor and invoke the precious blessings of their kuldevta. Close relatives and other family members are invited to their place for dinner/lunch after offering prayers to kuldevta (family deity.)

Halad chadavane

Called by Haldi ceremony, halad chadavane is a pre-wedding ritual where haldi (turmeric) paste is applied over groom’s feet, hands, face, and shoulder by at least five married women (Suhasini) with the help of mango leaves and leftover paste is sent to bride’s home to apply haldi to bride’s feet, hand and face. The Same haldi is used which was grinded during muhurat karane ritual. This ceremony is performed in both the families.

Simant pujan

Simant means boundary or limits. Groom and his family members are invited to the boundary of bride’s home. Groom’s feets are washed with water by bride’s mother followed by Tilak and aarti. Then bride’s father presents him jewelry and clothes as gifts.