Maharashtrian Wedding Rituals: A Simple, Traditional and Joyous Affair

Maharashtrian Wedding and their rituals are simple, traditional and joyous affairs. Marathi's wedding is full of colors and fun. Generally, a Maharashtrian wedding is a morning event.

Matchmaking and horoscope

The initial step of the marriage procedure is to find the right match through horoscope matching. Once the horoscope is matched, then the priest fixes the wedding date

Sakhar Puda

Before a few days of marriage, both families exchange a packet of sugar. It is like the acceptance of the bride and groom and their families. Groom’s mother offers saree, jewelry, and sweets to the bride.

Muhurt Karane

In a Marathi Matrimony, the priest of the family finalizes the wedding date and time. Onwards, wedding preparations start at both homes. An iron port is decorated with the mango leaves and filled with turmeric which is used later in the various wedding ceremony.

Wedding Invitations

Before month wedding cards are distributed after finalizing the date and wedding venue. The first card is present to the Lord Ganesha and requests them to bless for a happy Matrimony.

Halad Chadavane

Before a day, turmeric paste is prepared and applied to the bride and groom's face, shoulder and hands with the help of mango leaves. First of all, Haldi is applied to the groom and the left paste is sent to the Bride’s house for the bride.

Ganpati Puja

On the wedding day, Ganpati Puja is performed and takes blessing for future day ceremonies.

The Seeman Puja

When the barat reach the wedding venue, the bride’s mother washes the groom’s feet and does arrati and applies tilak and feed some sweets.

Gurihar Puja

After dressing, the bride performs small aarti to Goddess Parvati placed on a mound of rice and offers some rice.

Antarpat ritual

Groom reaches the mandap and wears a traditional headgear and sits at the designated place. A piece of cloth is held of the groom who prevents the bride and groom from each other before further ceremonies. The cloth is known as Antarpat.

Kanyadan ritual

Bride’s father then gives her daughter hand to the groom and the groom accepts the daughter's hand and accepts them as a life partner for a whole life. The bride and the groom tie with the holy thread. The groom ties a mangalsutra and applies vermillion on her center parting.

Satapadhi ritual

After the kanyadan, the bride and groom take seven rounds around the holy fire and exchange wedding vows.

Karmasampati ritual

At the end of Satapadhi, the couple prays the holy fire before it exhausted. With the trick, the bride’s father twists the groom’s ear to remember his duties.   

 Varat ritual

After completing the all wedding ceremony, the newlywed couple takes off the laws house and the groom also carries a Goddess Parvati.

Grihapravesh

It is the first ritual when the newlywed couple reaches the home. The groom’s mother welcomes the couple and washes their feet with the milk and water. A small aarti is performed and then the bride enters the house by knocking the rice port and then the couple enters with the right feet.