MAHARASHTRIAN POST-WEDDING RITUALS

Maharashtrian post-wedding rituals are as simple as the customs followed on the day of the wedding. After tying the nuptial knot, the bride and the groom seek the blessings of the elderly people of their family, feast on a lavish dinner at the reception party and enter the latter's home to start a new life. 



The entire post-wedding ceremony, although observed religiously, incorporates a number of things that make it very interesting to witness. If you are keen about knowing the post-wedding ceremonies of a marriage held in the typical Maharashtrian way, then go through the following lines.

Maharashtrian Post-Wedding Customs

Reception Party
Reception party is hosted on the night of marriage. Special feast is prepared for the occasion. Firstly, the groom�s family members are seated to savor the lip-smacking dishes. The newly married couple takes rounds of the mandap, as to ensure that everybody is enjoying the dinner. Thereafter, the bride�s family is invited to have their dinner.

Changing The Bride's Name
Changing the bride's name after marriage has been a custom prevalent among the Maharashtrians in India, since ages. This ceremony is usually held at the groom�s house, post marriage. Om Ganeshay Nama and the kuldevta's name are inscribed and then the groom traces his wife�s name in a plate full of rice.

Varat
Varat is one of the touching moments of the Maharashtrian wedding ceremony. During the ritual, the bride bids goodbye to her family. Thereafter, the newly married couple touches the feet of the elderly people in their family to seek blessings, in order to start a new life. The couple sits in a vehicle, which is followed by a procession of band and fireworks that leads to the groom's house.

Grihapravesh
Grihapravesh is the post-wedding ritual wherein the bride formally steps into the groom's house along with him. At the doorstep, the groom's mother welcomes the newly wed, to their home, and does the aarti of the couple. The bride topples a measuring vessel filled with rice, to enter the home. This gesture symbolizes that the bride brings in so much luck, that prosperity flows throughout the house, just as the rice flows out of the toppled vessel.

Suun Mukh Baghne 
As per the suun mukh baghne ritual, the groom�s mother initiates the entry of her daughter-in-law in her new home. The bride�s mother-in-law looks (baghne) at her daughter-in-law's (sunn) face (mukh). She also looks at her face in the mirror. Thereafter, she combs her daughter-in-law�s hair. This tradition reminds of the beautiful mother-daughter relationship.

Tond Dhune And Vyahi Bhet
Tond dhune is conducted on the next day after the wedding. The groom's mother presents a sari and jewelry made of pearl, to the bride. In order to reciprocate the affection shown, the bride's father presents the groom a gift made of silver.

MAHARASHTRIAN WEDDING RITUALS

The traditional Maharashtrian wedding is organized with religious observance. It is a simple ceremony, wherein the bride and the groom tie the wedding knot and pledge their lifetime companionship to the other half, in a very special way. The wedding, which is usually held in a mandap, is a brief affair consisting of antarpaat, Laxmi Narayan puja and jhal phirawne. 

Apart from the parents, the bride's maternal uncle plays a prominent role during the wedding ceremony. If you want to know more about the Maharashtrian wedding rituals, then go through the following lines.

Maharashtrian Wedding Customs

Antarpaat
At the time of shubh muhurat, the girl�s maternal uncle leads her to the mandap. The girl and boy are not allowed to glance at each other; therefore, the girl is taken to the mandap by raising an Antarpaat (a white cloth that is used as a partition between the bride and groom. 

Thereafter, the shlokas are chanted. This is followed by the removal of Antarpaat. People shower Akshata (unbroken rice) on the couple. After that, the garlands are exchanged between the bride and groom. The couple takes seven mangalpheras in front of the holy fire.

Laxmi Narayan Puja 
The bride is considered the goddess Laxmi and the groom is taken to be Lord Narayan. After the completion of marriage ceremony, Laxmi Narayan puja is conducted, in which the bride and groom are worshipped.

Jhal Phirawne 
The girl�s hand is formally given to the boy in the ceremony known as Jhal Phirawne. More popularly, it is known as Kanyadaan. In this ceremony, a cane dish is taken in which 21 lit lamps or diyas are placed. For the first time, the dish is placed on the bride's head. After kanyadaan, the groom ties the mangalsutra around the bride's neck and applies sindoor (vermillion) in her hair. In return, she applies chandan (tilak) on his forehead.

MAHARASHTRIAN PRE-WEDDING RITUALS

The Maharashtrian wedding is a ceremonious occasion filled with colorful rituals, which mesmerizes the spectator. The pre-wedding rituals are as lively as the wedding itself, which is an important turning point in every one's life. The pre-marriage ceremonies of the Maharashtrian wedding are organized to honor the couple, who are soon going to live a new life. 


Prior to the marriage, the bride and the groom are pampered in a number of ways, such as, applying turmeric powder and showering of gifts. In the article, we have given comprehensive information about the Maharashtrian pre-wedding rituals.

Maharashtrian Pre-Wedding Customs

Sakhar Puda 
Sakhar puda, a pre-wedding ceremony, involves the exchange of a packet of sugar between the families of the prospective bride and groom. However, in the present time, the engagement ceremony is only known as Sakhar Puda, which takes place one or two days before the wedding day. In this ceremony, the groom�s parents present a sari to the bride. This symbolizes that the girl has been accepted in the groom's family. Her hands are accessorized with beautiful green bangles.

Kelvan
Kelvan is a puja, which is conducted to offer prayers to their Kuladevta (the family deity). It takes places in the respective houses of the bride and the groom, a few days prior to the wedding. All the relatives and family members of the bride and the groom are invited to the ceremony, which is followed by feasting.

Simant Puja 
It is a traditional ritual, in which the groom�s family visits the girls' residence. On their arrival, the groom's family is welcomed warmly. Special lunch is prepared for them.

Halad Chadavane
On the day before wedding, the turmeric powder paste is applied to both the bride and groom at their respective houses by their family members and relatives. This is known as halad chadavane or the haldi ceremony. In order to apply the haldi, the bride is made to sit on a small table. She then receives a blouse piece and coconut in her sari's pallu, after which, haldi is applied all over her body.

Seemaan pooja
Seemaan pooja is conducted right after the procession of groom arrives at the bride's place. During the puja, the bride's parents wash the feet of the groom; welcome him and his family members. The groom is rewarded with gifts, such as gold chain, watch or ring, by the parents of the bride.