The Maharasthrian weddings are performed with a lot of joy and enthusiasm. This wedding is known for their simplicity and modishness. Maharasthrian wedding organized in a traditional way and followed by all the rituals. Usually this wedding takes place in the morning time. The maharasthrian wedding extends up to a number of days. The Maharasthrian wedding involves a number of rituals and traditions. This wedding can be categorized into three parts.

Pre Wedding Rituals.
Wedding Day Rituals.
Post Wedding Rituals.

Pre Wedding

Sakhar puda ceremony: Sakhar puda is the first ritual which takes place in Maharasthrian wedding. Sakhar puda is the engagement ceremony which holds few days before the wedding. The groom’s parent gifts a saree to the bride as a coupon of approval in their family. The bride’s arms are decorated with green bangles.

Simant puja: Simant puja is the ceremony in which groom’s family visit to the bride’s house. The bride’s parent welcomes the groom’s family and after that they offered a delicious lunch. This ritual is still followed by Maharasthrian families.

Halad chadavane: Halad chadawne is another tradition in Maharasthrian wedding. A mixture of turmeric, sandalwood powder and oil is applied to the bride and groom. This paste is applied by mango leaves. The bride and groom cannot leave their home before taking a ceremonial bath.

Wedding day Rituals

Marriage ceremony: Marriage ceremony is the time of shubh muhurat, the bride’s uncle leads her to the mandap. The bride and groom are not allowed to give a look at each other. The bride get to the mandap by elevate an ‘Antarpaat’ (it’s a partition between the bride and groom by a white clothe). Antarpaat is a set of shlokas with prayer of different Gods. After following this ritual bride and groom see each other. They exchange their garland in the mandap.

Saptapadi: saptapadi is the seven pheras around the sacred fire. This is the seven steps which bride and groom take together. After this ceremony marriage is permanent.

Laxmi Narayan puja: The Laxmi puja is performed by bride and groom. They pray to the Goddess Laxmi in which groom is asked to write a new name for his wife, he writes her name on the rice with a golden rings.

Jhal pirawne (Kanyadaan): People have a believed that Kanyadaan is the biggest daan. In the Kanyadaan ceremony the bride’s father gives his daughter hand to the groom’s hand. This ceremony is known as jhal pirawne in Marathi. After Kanyadaan groom ties a mangalsutra around bride’s neck and applies sindoor (vermillion) in her hair parting. The bride and groom take seven vows in the front of scared fire.

Post wedding Rituals

Suun much baghne: After wedding newly wed couple arrives at groom’s home. Te groom’s family welcomes the new bride. The groom’s mother looks her daughter-in –law face in the mirror. After that she combs the new bride’s hair. This represents that mother and bride should behave like mother and daughter.

Changing the Bride’s name: This ceremony holds at the groom’s home. After wedding Maharasthrian families changes her bride’s name. Groom’s write the name of bride on full plate of rice.

Reception party: This is the grand party in groom’s house after wedding. This party is attended by all the relatives, family and friends of bride and groom. The tasty, delicious food served to all the guest. Maharashtrian wedding delicacies include batata bhaji, pitlai, sheera, varan, shrikhand, vatanyachi usal.

Maharashtrian wedding dress

The bride usually wears Maharashtrian green colored sari. The typical Maharashtrian seven pearl jewelry are worn by the bride on the occasion of wedding. The bride wears green bangles considered as a beautiful for any function. Toe rings, pearl and bead nath (nose ring) and a bright bindhi are worn by the bride. The groom is dressed in dhoti or salwar and kurta, or sherwani.