MARATHI MARRIAGE
Maharashtra an Indian state that has a elaborate cultural heritage that has a combination of Aryan and Dravidian. Maharashtra is one of the varied state of India which is reflected in its men &women and culture. It is the state with union of various societies, customs and traditions. Maharashtra has an identity defined by its multi cultural nature. The people of Maharashtra commonly known as Maharashtrian or Marathi celebrate and take pleasure from their festivals with enormous joy and fervor. When we discuss Marathi matrimonial it is perhaps the simplest and least lavish marriage ceremony. The people of Maharashtra give more emphasis on sanskar. The marriage couple starts Grihasth-ashram by taking a vow to unite and remain together all through their lives while practicing artha, kama, dharma and moksha. The bride and bridegroom affectionately agree upon their promises given to each other. The bride takes the pledge from her bridegroom that he will never violate the limits known as maryada and the bridegroom takes the pledge from bride to always remain devoted. With the lack of time and space, some of the rituals are going away from Marathi matrimony/ marriage celebration becoming an undemanding affair.
At the start there is a ritual called Sakaharpuda which signifies the concurrence of the couple witnessed by their near and dear ones. It is usually the engagement ceremony wherein the bridegroom's mother applies haldi-kanku to the bride and offers Sakaharpuda and a sari to her. Likewise, the bride's mother applies haldi-kanku to the bridegroom and offers Sakaharpuda and a clothing item to the bridegroom. After this ceremony, the bride and bridegroom exchange the rings onto the anamika (ring) finger of the left hand. The pre-wedding ceremonies begins with the muhurtha karane which takes place on a chosen auspicious day few weeks before the matrimony day. The bride and bridegroom family starts the wedding preparation after this ceremony. Traditionally, five married women are invited with iron pestle tied with mango leaves. The ladies beat halkund (dried turmeric) and grind powder in an iron mortar. This powder is used during haladi ceremony. These days, this tradition is being eliminated in most of the Marathi Matrimony.
The first marriage invitation is given to the Lord Ganesha by visiting to his temple and then they invite personally their nearest dear ones. Next ritual performed is the kelvan just couple of days before marriage. The ceremony is observed at both bride's and groom's place wherein they conduct a puja of their family holy idol known as kuldevta. They take feast on this occasion. Two-three days prior to the marriage day, the close relatives' of groom presents marriage gifts to the bride known as gharacha gadgner. The gifts pack of the bride normally holds exclusive clothes, jewelry and silverware. Similarly, the close relatives' of bride offers marriage gifts to the groom known as gharacha aher. After that is the halad chadavane ceremony which is observed by both bride and groom family typically one day before the marriage day. The haldi powder which is prepared on the day of muhurta day is made into a cream. Five married women dip mango leaves and apply this cream to the various parts of the brides body. Same ceremony is also conducted by the groom's family
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