Maharashtrian Rituals

By Author: photo grapher
Total Articles: 10
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Few of the rituals are more or less similar to other Indian wedding.

Sakharpuda

This is like an engagement ceremony. It is performed by exchanging sugar packets. Maharashtrian rituals are very simple in nature. This ceremony takes place in the bride’s place where a lot of guests are invited.

Wang Nischay

In this ritual, kuldevta-pujan or worship of the home god and goddesses is performed. This is to declare officially that the knot is going to be tied between the specified bride and groom.

Haldi Chadawat

This is an event where the haldi paste is applied to the bride to bring purity in their beauty.

Simant Pujan

This event invites the groom and his relatives in the boundary of the bride.

Sankalp or Oath

Sankalp is the day before the marriage where each of the families announce the marriage in front of the priest. On this special day, the guests are welcomed with haldi-kunku and gulab-gajra, a sign of respect followed through generations.

Ganapatipujan

This is performed for acquiring the blessings of lord Ganesha. Followed by Punyahvachan ...
... (the priest asks bridal pair for blessings), kuldevata sthapana showers their blessings.

Gaurihar Puja

In this, the prayers are offered to the Goddess Parvati in the mundavalya and yellow sari.

Lagna Muhurt or the wedding time

Lagna Muhurt is the real moment or rather precious Maharashtrian rituals for the bride and the groom. All the relatives come close to the mandap and shower flowers or blessings on the newlywed couple. After this, the kanyadan takes place.

Akshataropan

This is when the couple holds akshata depicting gunsamriddhi, dhan, dharma, santan (children), kirti and many more ritualistic promises are made.

Mangalsutrabandhan

This is the main part of the Maharashtrian rituals. It is the event where mangalsutra is put around the bride’s neck by her better half.

Vivah Hom

Now starts the real puja, where Vivah Hom is the prayer that the couple makes in front of Agni. They promise to hold each other’s hands for the rest of their life.

Saptapadi

The next ritual is Saptapadi where there is the promise of providing food, strength, wealth, happiness, progeny, pleasure and immortal friendship among each other. After marriage has completed, Manpan or the occasion of distributing gifts among the relatives takes place.

Vidai or Varat

The ultimate vidai or Varat is the stage of Maharashtrian rituals
where the bride from her parental home steps into a whole new world with her better half.

Grihpravesh

It is the event where the bride enters the in-laws house for the first time. A small ritual with aart is performed in Grihpravesh.

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