Maharastrian Konkanastha Brahmin Wedding Rituals &
Customs
Among the many regional communities living in India,
Maharashtrians perhaps have the simplest and least opulent . The process begins
with called Lagnaach Bedi. Though these days marriages are quite common, many
boys and girls still prefer to go in for marriages arranged by parents.
Typically, Maharshtrians go in for marriage alliance between equal status
families. However, the marriage alliance is finalized only after matching of the
horoscopes by family pundit. Following this, the pundit decides the auspicious
date for the wedding |
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The
Engagement:
After the horoscopes of the bride and groom are
matched and the decision is made for them to marry, a formal engagement ceremony
is held. An auspicious date is determined by the 'pujari' (priest), and the
bride's parents host the event. |
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Ooti
Bharana
The groom's parents bless the bride and gift her a 'sari', some
jewellery and flowers for her hair. The bride leaves to change into the 'sari'
and wear the jewellery gifted to her.
The bride's parents also bless the
groom and give him a suit, a watch and other gifts. They also have gifts for his
parents, usually clothes |
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Ooti
Bharana
The groom's parents bless the bride and gift her a 'sari', some
jewellery and flowers for her hair. The bride leaves to change into the 'sari'
and wear the jewellery gifted to her.
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Vyahi
Bhojan:
The groom's family invites the bride's family for a meal
On
any auspicious day before the wedding the groom's parents invite the bride's
parents and other family members for a meal. If the family lives in another
city, then this event takes place one day prior to the wedding and is hosted in
a marriage hall. |
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Grahamak
/ Nav Grahi Shanti Puja:
Invoking harmony within the planetsThis 'puja' is performed
separately in both homes. A 'homa' or sacred fire is lit and the 'nav grahi
shanti puja' (puja of the nine planets) is conducted. |
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Bangdi
Bharan:
The bangle ceremony
This ceremony is held two days before
the wedding, in the bride's home. The 'bangadiwala' or bangle seller is called
home. The bride's mother gives him edible leaves, a coconut and one coin. He
first slips the green bangles on the bride's wrist. The bangles have to be
uneven in number. |
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Mehendi:
The henna ceremony
Though this is not a traditional
Maharashtrian ceremony, it is popular and incorporated into wedding celebrations
by many families. Henna paste is applied on the palms and feet of the bride by
professional henna artists or 'mehendiwalis' in intricate patterns and left on
for several hours to dry and for the colour to develop into a deep red. |
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Kelvan
Kelvan:
The bride's last meal as a maiden in her parental home
The
bride is seated at a table which has been decorated with 'rangoli', patterns
made from coloured powder and lentils, in the midst of which is a silver
'thaali' (platter) specially laid out for her.
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Seemant
Pujan and Vaang Nischayam:
Honouring the groomOn the day prior to the wedding the bride's
mother washes the groom's feet in a silver platter or 'thaali'. The
'varadakshina' or groom's offering is given to him. Married ladies from the
bride's family perform an 'aarti' for him. His mother's feet are also washed and
she is presented with a sari. |
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Ghana
Bharan and Haldi:
Beautification rituals
On the morning of the wedding day
the bride and her parents are seated on a wooden plank or 'pat'. Married ladies
or 'sumangalis' pound wheat with a wooden rod called 'musal'. The bride and her
parents offer prayers to the deities to ensure that the wedding rituals are
devoid of any impediments and everything goes smoothly.
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Dev
Devak:
Divine blessings are sought from the family deity
The days
leading up to the wedding are filled with religious and social customs. As with
any auspicious occasion, divine blessings are sought before embarking on
festivities |
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Gauri
Haar Puja:
The bride performs a 'puja' for Goddess Gauri
The goddess Gauri (Parvati)
was considered the perfect wife. As an Aryan princess marrying a non-Aryan, Lord
Shiva, she merged herself completely with an alien culture and the unfamiliar
lifestyle of her husband's family.
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Varaat:
The wedding processionIn preparation for his wedding, the groom
wears a silk 'dhoti' (a waist to ankle length silk fabric with borders) and an
'angavastram' (stole) across his shoulders. Traditionally he is supposed to go
bare chested, but these days most men prefer to wear a 'kurta' (long shirt)
along with the 'dhoti'. |
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Rukhavat:
Breakfast is served to the groom and his close relatives After
the 'aarti' the groom and his procession are served a traditional Maharashtrian
breakfast called 'rukhavat'. |
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Lagna
Mahurat:
The wedding ceremony - divided into following
segments: |
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Varmala:
The couple exchanges garlands
After the 'rukhavat', the
bride's mother puts some 'ghee' or clarified butter in the groom'spalms, which
he is supposed to eat. He is then given a decorated coconut and escorted to the
'mandap' (platform erected for the wedding rites). The bride's parents and other
members from her family wash the feet of the groom, his parents and close
relatives before the wedding ceremony can begin.
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Kanyadaan
Kanyadaan:
Giving away the bride
According to rites prescribed in
ancient Vedic texts, the bride's father takes the groom's right hand with his
own right hand and places it over his daughter's right hand |
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Mangalsutra:
The groom ties the 'mangalsutra' on the brideAt the exact auspicious time
indicated by the priests, the groom's ties the 'mangalsutra' around the bride's
neck. The necklace of black beads strung on gold is symbolic of the perpetual
union of the couple. |
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Paani
Grahan:
The groom vows to look after his wife The bride and groom face each other and
he places his palm on hers while he invokes the gods and the forces of nature
saying: "Blessed bride, I accept your hand - may we prosper and grow old
together”. |
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Lajja
Hom:
Sacrifice offered to the sacred fire
The bride's brother
gives his sister two fistfuls of 'lahaya' (puffed rice). The groom guides the
bride's hands and the puffed rice is consigned to the sacred fire, while the
priests invoke the Gods by chanting Vedic hymns. This signifies the bridegroom
asking the bride to merge completely with her new family.
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Saptapadi:
Seven steps around the sacred fire
Seven handfuls of rice
are placed in the northern periphery of the 'mandap'. As the groom leads the
bride to each pile, she places her right toe on it, while he says:
'With this
first step be the giver of food'.
'With this second step be the source of
strength'.
'With this third step be my prosperity'.
'With this fourth step
be my source of happiness'.
'With this fifth step be the mother of our
children'.
'With this sixth step be my companion in all seasons'.
'With
this seventh step be my friend forever' |
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Ashirwaad:
The blessing The couple is showered with rice again while the
priests continue the recitation of prescribed Vedic hymns, repeated by the
groom. The couple touches the feet of all the family members who are older than
them and accept blessings from them. |
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Wedding
Feast:
Traditional meal served on banana leaves
Even if the lunch
is served buffet-style, special arrangements are made to seat the groom's
family. The newly wed couple first go around and greet all the guests, serving
them sweetmeats, and only after that do they proceed to partake of the
meal.
A Maharashtrian wedding feast is worth waiting for! |
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Vidaai:
Bridal send off The groom goes to the shrine where his bride had earlier
worshipped Goddess Gauri and takes the figure of the deity with
him. |
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Griha
Pravesh:
The bride enters her marital home
The groom's mother and sister receive
the bridal couple at the doorstep. His older sister performs a brief 'aarti'
with a lighted oil lamp for them. |
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Reception:
Post wedding celebrations
Though this is not a social requirement, many
families choose to host a reception to celebrate the wedding and introduce the
bride and groom to their friends, family and even business
associates. |
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Panch
Pavan:
Wedding feast served on the fifth day after the weddingOn the fifth day after
the marriage the bride's family invites the groom's family for a big
feast. |
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