Maharashtrian weddings are known for their vibrant customs, simplicity and a unique blend of rituals that honor the couple's journey of new beginnings. Rooted in Maharashtrian culture, these ceremonies reflect traditional Hindu values and reflect the strong cultural heritage of Maharashtra. Here's a look at the important rituals and customs that make a Maharashtrian wedding so special.
Sakhar Puda, also known as the engagement ceremony, marks the formal declaration of the couple's union. During this ceremony, the bride's family gives the bride a sari and sweets, especially sugar (sakhar), symbolizing the sweetness and purity of their upcoming wedding.
This ceremony, held at both the bride and groom's houses, decides the auspicious date for the wedding. The women of the family grind turmeric for the haldi ceremony and other rituals, while prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha for blessings.
Kelavan is an important gathering, which is held to seek blessings from the family deities and involves puja (prayer ritual). It is held by both the families separately, showing respect and homage to the family deities.
In the haldi ritual, the family members of the bride and groom apply turmeric paste. It is believed that turmeric cleanses the skin and makes it glow, making the couple ready for the special day of marriage.
Before the wedding, families perform Ganpati puja and seek blessings of Lord Ganesha to remove any obstacles that may come in the way of the marriage.
In this ritual, the groom and his family are welcomed. The bride's mother performs aarti, puja and welcomes him and applies tilak on his arrival. This ritual symbolizes accepting the groom as a part of the bride's family.
Before setting foot in the mandap, the bride goes to worship Goddess Parvati, who is symbolized by an idol. She prays for a prosperous married life, which shows her devotion and hope for a happy marriage.
During the preliminary rituals a silk cloth called antarpat is placed between the bride and groom. This symbolizes the couple's purity and prevents them from seeing each other until they are officially united.
While removing the antarpat, the couple is blessed by chanting the mangalashtak or holy verses. This is the moment when the couple can finally see each other, which marks the beginning of their union.
Both the families come together and bless each other and vow to support each other. This ceremony strengthens the bond between the two families and also signifies the importance of wedding vows.
In this emotional ritual, the father of the bride hands over his daughter's hand to the groom, symbolizing the family's acceptance of the groom and entrusting him with the care of their daughter. This is considered to be one of the most loved customs that signifies the depth of family bonds.
Known as the seven steps, this ritual involves the bride and groom taking seven vows together, symbolizing their commitment to each other. Each step symbolizes the promise of a prosperous and harmonious life.
The last stage of the wedding ceremony involves the couple seeking blessings from both their family members and it symbolizes the completion of the union. The couple then garlands each other, which signifies their commitment to support each other in every aspect of life.
Vaarat or Bidai is a poignant moment when the bride bids goodbye to her family. She enters the groom's family with best wishes and love, which marks the beginning of a new life.
Upon reaching the groom's house, the bride is welcomed with a traditional aarti. She enters the house by gently banging a pot of rice on the threshold, which symbolizes bringing prosperity to the house.
The reception is attended by friends and family to greet and bless the couple. It involves feasting, music and dancing, symbolizing joy and goodwill for the newlywed couple.
The families of the newly married couple often hold a Satyanarayana Puja to express gratitude to the gods for concluding a successful marriage. This ritual is performed to ensure a happy and harmonious married life for the couple.
The traditional nose ring worn by the bride, the nath, is often made of pearls and diamonds. It symbolizes her marital status and is an essential part of Maharashtrian bridal jewelry.
Both the bride and groom wear a garland of pearls or flowers, the mundavalya, on their foreheads. This head ornament is unique to Maharashtrian weddings and symbolizes readiness for marriage.
The bride often wears a Paithani sari, a traditional hand-woven silk sari, as it symbolizes beauty and elegance. It is usually rich in color and adorned with gold motifs, which is typical of traditional Maharashtrian attire.
Silver rings, called jodvi, are worn by the bride after the wedding and symbolize her new role as a married woman in the family.
The charm of Maharashtrian weddings lies in their simplicity, cultural depth and reverence for ancestral customs. From shakarpuda to griha pravesh, every ritual reflects the values of unity, respect and harmony. These weddings are not just about uniting two individuals, but also about joining two families on a shared path of love and mutual respect.
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Maharashtrian weddings involve meaningful rituals such as SakharPuda (engagement), Haldi ceremony, Kanyadan, Saptapadi (seven vows), and Griha Pravesh, each of which symbolises love, unity, and cultural heritage..
Usually, the pre-wedding, pre-wedding and post-wedding rituals last for 1-2 days, and each ceremony holds a different significance for the wedding.
Mundavalya is a floral or pearl head ornament worn by both the bride and groom to signify their readiness for marriage and is unique to Maharashtrian culture.
Brides often wear Paithani sarees with traditional jewellery, while grooms usually wear dhoti and kurta with traditional head cap, reflecting cultural elegance.
In Gaurihar Puja the bride seeks blessings from Goddess Parvati for a prosperous married life, which symbolises devotion and family blessings.
