Maharastrian Maratha Wedding Rituals & Customs
The Maharashtrian Wedding Rituals & Customs are performed with a lot of gaiety and enthusiasm. Maharashtrian Weddings are performed in proper traditional way and all the rituals are performed by a priest. Hence, the Maharashtrian Wedding Rituals comprise of the typical Hindu wedding rituals. Each stage in the wedding ritual in Maharashtra has some important significance and it is more of a homely affair than a boisterous show. Unlike the other wedding rituals in India, the Maharashtrian Wedding rituals are carried out in day time, mostly in the afternoon. It is rather the wedding that is celebrated in simplest way. It is less lavish than the other weddings in India.
The Maharashtrian Wedding dress is as usual gorgeous and eye catching as the wedding dresses in other communities. The bride wears a conventional Maharashtrian green colored sari. Most commonly the Paithani kind of sari is used. The bride for the wedding wears the typical Maharashtrian seven pearl studs. The bride also wears green bangles, considered to be very fortunate for any function. The bride wears toe rings, pearl and bead nath or the nose ring and a bright bindhi. The groom is dressed in dhoti or salwar and kurta, or sherwani. Wedding feasts are served on banana leaves and people are seated on the floor to enjoy the feast. The bride, the groom, and their families eat on silver plates. Few special Maharashtrian wedding dishes include batata bhaji, pitlai, sheera, varan, shrikhand, vatanyachi usal.
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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. This is called the 'mahurat'. Their home is decorated with flowers and mango leaves and 'rangoli' patterns are made on the floor.
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Bangdi Bharan: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.
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Mehendi: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 leon for several hours to dry and for the colour to develop into a deep red.
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Previous day's celebrations:
Three or four days before the wedding, wheat is sown in the earth and allowed to sprout.
One day before the wedding the 'mandap' (platform for the wedding rites) is erected in front of the homes of the bride and groom.
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Varpuja:
Honouring the groom
On 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.
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Haldi:
After the 'varpuja' the next ceremony is held in the bride's home.
A mixture of 'haldi' (turmeric) and oil is applied on her face, hands and feet by 'sumangalis' or married ladies. She is then led for her bath.
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Varaat:On the wedding day, the groom sits and waits in a nearby temple with his close relatives, for the bride's relatives to come and fetch him for the wedding ceremony. The bride's family shower him with gifts at this time and then escort the groom, who is mounted on an elaborately decorated mare to the wedding venue.
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Lagna Mahurat: The wedding ceremony - divided into following segments:Varmala: The couple exchanges garlands After the priest determines the exact time for the wedding rites the groom is led to the 'mandap' followed by the bride.
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Sulagna: The blessing After the 'varmala', the bride and groom are made to sit on chairs while all the elders perform 'aarti' for them and shower them with blessings, gifts and money.
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Hara Dhera: Bridal send off On the evening after the wedding rites are completed, the groom's 'varaat' leaves taking the bride with them. Before she leaves, the bride's parents give her 'hara dhera' - a basket with floor lamps, 'chappatis' (typical Indian 'rotis' made from wheat) and an idol of Lord Krishna.
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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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Kankan:
The day after the bride arrives in her marital home, the 'kankans', which were tied to everybody's hands one day before the wedding, are now removed.A 'Satyanarayana Puja' (special 'puja' for Lord Vishnu) is conducted and the couple comes back to the bride's home, where another 'Satyanarayana Puja' is observed..
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Reception: 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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