Marathi Matrimony

About Marathi Matrimony

Marathi matrimony takes place between a bride and groom who both speak Marathi as their first language. Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra and is one of the 23 official languages of India. With approximately 73 million speakers, Marathi is the fourth most spoken native language in India.

The earlier writings in Marathi appeared around the 11th century in the way of inscriptions on copper plates and stones.

The Marathi matrimonial ceremony is simple and filled with lots of age-old customs. The basic structure of wedding, pre-wedding and post-wedding functions are same in almost all the communities of Maharashtra with slight variations. Most marriage rituals take place during the day.

Marathi Pre-Wedding Rituals

Sakhar Puda: It is a formal engagement ceremony which takes place at bride's house. The ritual's name was derived from the exchange of sugar packets, also known as sakhar, between both the families. During this ritual, the groom's mother applies tilak to bride and gifts her a saree along with a packet of sugar as a symbol of fixing alliance between both families. After this bride and groom exchange rings. The groom's family is gifted with a set of clothing and sugar packets by bride's mother and the ritual is completed after a traditional feast.

Muhurt Karane: During this ritual, the wedding date is formally announced and wedding preparations begin with five married women referred to as Suhasini in Marathi, crushing turmeric in an Iron pestle tied with mango leaves. This turmeric will be used in rituals that follow. Only after completion of this ceremony will shopping for the marriage begin. The bride's side often holds a Rukhvat ceremony, in which an exhibition of decorative and food items made by the bride is held.

Kelvan Puja: A couple of days prior to marriage, a puja for Kuldevta (local family deity) is held at both houses to seek the blessings of the happy married life of the couple. All the relatives and friends are requested to be present in this puja. A grand traditional meal marks the end of the Kelvan ceremony.

Hald Chadavane: Haldi (turmeric paste) is an integral part of marriage in almost all parts of the country. In Marathi matrimonial ceremony also, haldi is applied to both bride and groom. The same paste made on Muhurt Karane day is applied to groom first and then the left over is applied to the bride by same five Suhasini.

Marathi Wedding Day Rituals

Ganpati Puja: This is the first ritual that takes place on the wedding day to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha for the happy and prosperous life of the couple. This is followed by the bride seeking blessings of all the elders of the family this ritual is known as Punyavachan.

The Simant Puja: The word simant means boundary in the local language. When the groom and his family arrive at the wedding venue, the bride's mother washes the groom's feet, applies tilak on his forehead, does his arti and feeds him with sweets. The ritual is named so as it takes place at the boundary of bride's house.

Gurihar Puja: After getting ready in her wedding attire, the bride worships goddess Parvati for her long and prosperous married life.

The Antarpat Ritual: When the groom arrives on the wedding mandap in traditional wedding attire a silk cloth is held in front of him preventing bride and groom to see each other. This cloth is known as the Antarpat.

The Sankalp Ritual: The bride is called to the wedding mandap she is escorted by her maternal uncles. The priest chants the Mangalashtakas, or holy wedding vows. The Antarpat is removed and the couple sees each other. They exchange the garlands and are showered with akshatas (unbroken rice).

The Kanyadan / Jhaal Phirawane Ritual: This a heartwarming ritual during which the father of the bride gives his daughter's hand to the groom. The groom accepts the bride as his responsibility. This is known as jhaal phirawane in Maharashtrian language. The bride's parents then perform worship of the couple considering them as avatars of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The couple ties a piece of turmeric or halkund with a thread on each other's hands in a ritual is known as Kankan Bandhane. The groom then ties the mangalsutra around the bride's neck and applies vermillion on her center parting. The bride in return applies a sandalwood tilak on the groom's forehead.

The Satapadhi Ritual: The couple recites seven ritualistic wedding vows while performing pheras around the sacred fire.

The Karmasampati Ritual: This marks the end of all wedding ritual where the couple pray in front of the holy fire. The father or the brother of the bride playfully twists the groom's ear to remind him of his future duties. The couple then seeks blessings from all relatives present.

Marathi Post Wedding Rituals

The Varat Ritual: The Varat is the procession that sees the bride off from her paternal home to her new home. After completion of the wedding rituals, the bride waves a tearful goodbye to her family. The groom must pick the silver idol of Devi Parvati during the Gaurihar Puja.

The Grihapravesh: this ritual signifies the welcome of the bride in her new home. The groom's mother embraces the new couple and washes their feet with milk and water. After this, the traditional aarti is performed and the bride is asked to enter the house by knocking down a pot of rice, kept at the entrance. The couple enters the house with their right foot.

The Reception: A Reception party is organized, wherein the newly married couple meets and greets all family and friends, while sumptuous food is served for the guests. The bride wears saree and Jewelry gifted to her from the groom's side while the groom dresses in attires presented by the bride's side. The Namkharan (change of bride's name) is also performed in presence of priest in some Maharashtrian communities at the time of reception.