Like any other caste or religion, Marathi matrimonial rituals have their own specific ways. They have one of the most interesting and celebrated marriage traditions of all. Many non-marathi individuals are now also adopting to the Marathi matrimonial cultures in their wedding. Wish to find out what makes their wedding traditions so interesting? Keep reading to know.
India is a country of diversity with diversified cultures, traditions and practices. Naturally, with the differences in geographical boundaries, you can also observe the differences in traditions. Moreover, marriages have always been a topic of utmost interest and celebrations in India. The Marathi matrimonial weddings have sparked a maximum curiosity among raeders of all. The below paragraphs are the ideas on the same. Read further to know all about the Marathi groom, bride and rituals in their weddings.
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Sakhar Puda
The pre wedding Marathi matrimonial rituals start with Sakhar Puda. here, Sakhar means sugar in Marathi and Puda means packets. It is nothing but an engagement ceremony of the Marathi groom and the bride where they exchange rings with each other. This is the first official announcement of the couple’s lifelong journey together. The families of both the parties also exchange sweets, gifts and dresses with each other as a start of new relationships. Most Marathi families only invite their close friends, family members and close relatives in the ceremony.
Simant Pujan
Seemant or simant is a word originally means boundaries or limits. In Simant Puja the Marathi groom and his family are invited by the bride’s family. On this day, the bride’s mother has to clean the groom’s feet with water and apply haldi and teeka on it. Thereafter, the bride’s mother showers the groom with gifts and sweets as a token of love. Likewise, the groom’s mother also offers various gifts, sarees, jewelry and sweets to the bride. A traditional family feast takes place after that on the happy occasion of the beginning of new journey.
Kelvan
Kelvan is another pre-wedding ritual that usually takes place 2-3 days before the wedding. It is small puja where both the families offer prayers to their deity god (kul devta). Once the puja is over both familie invite each other for meals along with the close relatives. The primary purpose of Kelvan is to show respect to each other’s family traditions and god.
Halad Chadawat/Chadavane
Halad Chadvane in Marathi matrimonial weddings is same as Haldi. This ceremony takes place at both the bride and the groom’s place. However, once the haldi is applied to the Marathi groo,’s body, the same Haldi is sent by the groom’s family to the bride’s place. Later, the family member and relatives of the bride apply the same haldi on her.
Hald Chadhawat is quite a playful ceremony with all the close relatives involved in it. Maharashtrians usually apply the haldi with mango leaves as it is considered auspicious of the puja purposes.
Gowrihar Puja
Gowrihar puja is done by the bride once she is all dressed up in her bridal attire offered by her maternal uncle. The Marathi bride then offers her prayers to Hindu goddess Parvati for her happy married and prosperous life. She also prays for the well-being and healthy life of her husband. The bride offers this puja while sitting on betel leaves by offering rice to the silver idol of Goddess Parvati.
Antarpat Ritual
The Marathi groom and the bride are not suppose to look at each other during this ritual. A silk shawl is placed between them for the same reason. The priest recite his Shlokas in this ritual and both the bride’s and the groom’s family are sitting on their children’s side. The rice is then showered upon both these sides of people with recitation of Mantras.
Kanyadaan Ritual
The word kanyadaan is derived from two words kanya and daan. Here Kanya is the bride and Daan means donation. Though the ritual might sound patronizing but what’s not?
In this Marathi matrimony ritual the father of the bride donates his daughter to the groom with the trust of lifelong together of the couple. In this ritual the parents of the bride expects their son-in-law to take care and look after their daughter for lifetime. It is one of the most emotional moment for both the bride and her family. Thereafter, the bride’s sister ties knot of one loose end of the bride’s saree with the scarf of the groom and prepares the couple for Saptapadi Ritual or saat phere.
So, these are some of the crucial Matrathi matrimonial rituals in a wedding. These rituals are later followed by Karmasamapati ritual, Varat, Grihapravesh, etc.
