Maharashtrian Wedding: Everything you need to know about Marathi Rituals

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Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Sagarika Kapoor

India is such a diverse country with rich culture and custom traditions. And that’s the beauty of each tradition and state. Simple yet beautiful, Maharashtrian weddings are all about varied ritual ceremonies and traditions. There may not be a lot of taam-jhaam in Maharashtrian Weddings. But, they are fused with the right traditions that carry emotions and embody all the family members together. With a lot of people from diverse cultures tying knots or looking to explore another tradition, it is important to be aware of the ceremonies and their significance. Let us take you through the Maharashtrian Wedding rituals and traditions and understand the significance of each ceremony. 

Maharashtrian Wedding Rituals 

Source: Kartik Patani Photography

Here’s everything about Maharashtrian wedding rituals and traditions. 

Pre-Wedding Rituals

Here are the pre-wedding rituals that are a part of traditional Marathi weddings.

1. Lagnaach Bedior 

It is common in the North Indian or other traditions as well where horoscopes or the patrikas of the bride and groom are matched. Similarly, in Maharashtrian weddings, horoscope matching plays a significant role. It was more prevalent earlier when the marriages were arranged by the parents. However, there are still families who believe in this tradition and will prefer matching the horoscopes to fix the auspicious date and time for the Maharashtrian wedding. 

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2. Sakhar Puda 

Source: GB Photo Films

Sakhar Puda is the engagement or Roka ceremony. It is a pre-wedding celebration where the bride and groom exchange their rings in front of their family members. The mother of the groom also follows some rituals and applies Haldi/kumkum on the forehead of the bride. In addition to this, the mother of the groom also gifts saree, clothes, jewellery, and sweets to the bride. The mother of the bride also follows these rituals and gives some gifts to the groom.  

3. Muhurat Karane 

After the engagement ceremony, the celebrations are in full swing in both families. After the date and time of the vidhi is fixed, the bride of the mother invites five married women for an auspicious day or celebration. The married women prepare turmeric powder and Sandege. They also roll papads as a part of the tradition and the custom. After that, the bride’s family begins with the shopping spree. The bride’s family even hosts a Rukhvat ceremony which plays another significant role in Marathi weddings. As per this custom, the bridal trousseau, bridal lehenga, jewellery, and other items are displayed for viewing. 

4. The Wedding Invitation 

After holding the Rukvat and other ceremonies, the families can begin sending out cards. The first wedding invitation card is presented to an idol of Lord Ganesha. In most traditions, the first card is usually for the Lord or Kuldevta.

5. The Kelvan Ritual 

Source: Vedika Dursheti

The Kelvan ritual is often conducted a few days before the wedding date. On this day, both the families perform puja to their kuldevta or deities seeking their blessings. After the puja ceremony, the families even consider organizing a lunch or meal with close family members. 

6. Halad Chadavne 

Source: Gautam Khullar Photography, Girish Katkar Photography

Halad Chadavne is the Haldi version of the Maharashtrian wedding. The married women who performed the Muhurat Karane ceremony takes part in the celebration. Those married women first apply the Haldi to the groom with the help of the mango leaves. The Haldi is applied on the forehead, hands, feet, and shoulder of the groom. The married woman also applies the same haldi to the bride and performs the same rituals with her. 

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The Wedding Day Rituals 

The Maharashtrian wedding rituals and customs are filled with a number of pujas and vows. Some of the pujas and traditions are even similar to the South Indian traditions. Here’s a detailed guide to the rituals of the wedding day.

1. Ganpati Puja, Devdevak, Gurihar Puja 

Source: Divisht Kakkar Photography

The wedding day begins with worshipping Lord Ganesha. The puja is important to seek blessings for the couple from the Lord Ganesha. The celebration then commences with the bride performing the Gurihar Puja. The bride wears something yellow along with a Mundavalya (pearl string) across her forehead. She then worships Goddess Parvati and seeks her blessings for a happy married life. 

2. Seemapujan 

This is another tradition that begins when the groom arrives at the wedding venue. The bride of the mother washes the feet of the groom and greets him with some gifts and sweets. She also applies Tilak on his forehead. 

3. Antarpat 

Source: The Storyteller

The Antarpat is a silk shawl or a curtain that is placed between the bride and groom to block their vision. The couple doesn’t see each other until the priest finishes reciting the mantras.  

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4. Sankalp 

Source: Into Candid Photography

After the mantras are done, the Antarpat is removed and the couple can see each other. It is also the time when both of them exchange the jaimala. In Marathi tradition, the guests and family members shower the couple with the rice grains at this auspicious time. 

5. Kanyadaan 

Source: Studio RDP, Fatty’s Photography

Kanyadaan is a ritual that is common in many other customs. As per this ritual, the father of the bride’s hands over the hand of the bride to the groom, and the groom makes promises to keep her happy forever. After this, the groom ties mangalsutra around the bride’s neck. Additionally, the bride also applies chandan teeka on the groom’s forehead as a part of the tradition. 

6. Saptapadhi 

Source: Bhushan Patil

After this tradition, the couple takes seven rounds and wedding vows around the fire. After completing each round, the bride even has to touch seven betel nuts and rice with her feet. 

7. Karmasamapti 

Source: The Wedding Salad, Dawn Studio

The couple also performs Laxmi Pujan and seeks the blessings of the god. After these customs, the brother of the bride playfully twists the ear of the groom to remind him to be careful with the bride. 

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Post-Wedding Rituals 

The following are the post-wedding Maharashtrian wedding rituals. 

1. Varat 

Varat is a ceremony that means the farewell of the bride and is similar to the Bidaai ceremony. As per the tradition, the groom also carries a Parvati idol that was part of the Gaurihar Puja.

2. Grihapravesh 

Source: Photizo Studio

The bride enters her new home. The groom’s mother washes the feet of the bride with the milk and the water. The bride also kicks the kalash of rice with her right foot. 

3. Reception 

Source: Rishikesh Bhamure Photography and Wedding Films,

Reception is the post-wedding celebration where the couple enters and seeks blessing from the family members. The bride wears outfits and jewellery gifted by the groom’s family, whereas the groom wears clothes gifted by her family.  

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These are some of the traditions and customs of the Maharashtrian wedding. You should keep these rituals in mind if you are having a Marathi wedding. If you need any further assistance with wedding shopping or picking your dream bridal outfit, you can get in touch with our experts. Our Styl Consultants will help you pick the dream outfit of your choice and will also answer all your queries. Book the inquiry form and get in touch with us for further assistance. Let the Styl experts guide you and help you with your wedding shopping woes.

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