Marathi Wedding Traditions and Rituals: The complete guide-

Hey there! If you're planning a Marathi wedding and want to learn about the different customs involved, you're in the right place. Marathi weddings are known for their unique and captivating traditions that make them truly special. And, the wedding day itself is the highlight of the festivities, filled with amazing rituals and moments you won't forget.

We'll take you through some of the most important and fascinating Marathi wedding rituals. By the end of this article, you'll have a good understanding of the various functions involved and be able to plan for them in the best possible way. So, let's dive in and explore the beauty of a Marathi wedding together!

Categorizing the rituals

Hold up, folks! Before we dive into the juiciness of the wedding rituals, let's get our game plan straight. We've got tons of rituals to cover, so we've categorized them based on when they happen in the ceremony. That way, you can follow along and plan your big day like a pro. Plus, we've even thrown in a timeline at the end to give you a visual of how it all comes together. So, buckle up and get ready to rock your Marathi wedding with confidence and style!  

Ceremonies and Rituals explained

Varaat/Baraat Ceremony

Varaat is the first ceremony in which the groom sets out on a journey to the bride's house or where the wedding will take place. This ceremony includes multiple rituals.

Ritual 1: Maruti Mandir visit

As the groom starts the journey, there is a ritual to visit the Maruti Temple on the way. The significance of this visit is to offer respect to Hanuman and ask for his blessings as you are set to start a new chapter of your life as a married person. This marks the shift in a person’s life from Brahmachari (Unmarried) to Grihastha (Married).

Ritual 2: Dwar Puja

"Dwar" means "door" in Marathi. During Dwar Puja, the groom, along with his family and friends, arrives at the wedding venue, where they are received by the bride's family. The bride's mother performs aarti (a Hindu ritual of worship using a lamp and flowers) and applies Tilak (vermilion paste) on the groom's forehead. Dwar Puja in Marathi weddings is an important ritual, as it symbolizes the acceptance and welcoming of the groom into the bride's family. This ritual is also known as Vara Puja.

Ritual 3: Gaurihar Puja

The bride performs this Gauri puja once the Baraat ceremony starts and seeks blessings from the deities for a happy married life. The groom is taken to the location where the bride is performing this puja to take her to the wedding ceremony. The fun element involved in this ritual is that siblings and friends of the bride stop the groom from approaching the bride and can ask for any bribe to let him take the bride with her.

Ritual 4: Mangalashtak and Antarpat

Mangalashtak is like the ultimate wedding jam! It's a set of verses that are chanted by the priest, where they pray for the well-being and happiness of the newlyweds. It's like a musical mantra that blesses the couple and sets the tone for their happy future together.

Antarpat, on the other hand, is like the ultimate love curtain. Yes, you heard that right! It's a cloth that's held between the bride and groom during the Mangalashtak ceremony. This cloth symbolizes the barrier between the two before they become one. As the priest chants the verses, the Antarpat is slowly lowered, allowing the couple to finally see each other and exchange garlands.

Mangalashtak and Antarpat are like the perfect wedding duet, setting the stage for a happy and love-filled marriage.

So there you have it folks! This was the Baraat ceremony all-inclusive. You can plan for this function as a whole concerning your outfit and décor. Before we move ahead, let us give you some tips and ideas to make this ceremony more memorable.

Tip 1: As Marathi weddings generally happen in the mornings, Groom can don stylish and suiting eyewear during the baraat when he is on a Ghodi.

Tip 2: You can plan your entry for the Mangalashtak provided they are at different locations in the venue.

Lagna chi Vidhi (Wedding Rituals)

These are the rituals that formalize the marriage as this is where the couple take seven vows around a sacred fire, symbolizing their commitment to each other. There are plenty of rituals performed in this ceremony, some fun, some traditional, and some very emotional. Let’s have a look at the main ones.

Ritual 1: Kanyadaan

Kanyadaan is one of the most emotional and heartwarming moments in a Marathi wedding. It is the moment when the bride's father gives away his beloved daughter to her groom. It's a moment filled with joy, tears, and happiness, and it truly shows the importance of family in Marathi culture.

To add a little amusement, during the wedding, the bride's brother playfully twists the groom's ear, giving him a cheeky reminder to treat his sister like a queen, or else face the consequences.

Ritual 2: Saptapadi

Saptapadi is the seven vows taken by the bride and groom during a Marathi wedding. It's like a fun adventure quest where the couple takes seven steps together, representing their journey together through life. Each step corresponds to a promise made to each other, from being faithful to supporting each other through thick and thin. It's a bonding experience that solidifies their union and gives them the strength to tackle whatever challenges come their way. And let's not forget, it's a great opportunity for some cute candid photos! So, get your game face on, and take those seven steps to a lifetime of love and adventure!

Ritual 3: Mangalsutra Bandhan

In this beautiful ritual, the groom holds the Mangalsutra and places it around the bride's neck, while chanting mantras and seeking the blessings of the gods and goddesses. The Mangalsutra is made up of black and gold beads, which symbolize the husband's commitment to protect and provide for his wife.

Ritual 4: Jhaal and Sunmukh

Jhaal is one of the final rituals where the bride’s full family prepares a basket filled with Diyas and places them on the groom and his family member’s heads to symbolize the shift of the responsibility of the bride’s happiness from them to the groom. This feels like an emotional moment where everyone starts to feel the heat of the teary Vidaai.

To lighten the mood, Sunmukh generally happens at the very end where the groom’s mother asks the bride to sit beside her and look at her face through a mirror.

Vihini Chi Pangat

“Vihin” in Marathi means “Groom’s mother”. This ritual is a lunch that is specially organized for the groom’s mother as a symbol of respect and gratitude. It is a tradition to decorate the event with flowers and one mandatory element of the décor is Bitter Gourd’s plant (Karlya cha Vaal). Bitter gourd is considered pure due to its medicinal properties and hence is included to highlight the purity of the event. As a fun activity, both the groom and bride are asked to take ukhana before the start of the lunch.

Tip 1: One and the only tip, no matter what, have a list of awesome, funny, and creative Ukhanas in your pocket just to make your impression on the crowd and of course your partner.

Vivah Sampanna Puja and Vidai Ceremony

Vivah Sampanna puja is a short ritual where the bride and groom return to where the Gaurihar puja was performed earlier to ask for the blessings of the deity for their new journey. The bride is given a small idol of Annapurna Devi by the groom’s mother and the groom is given an idol of Bal Krishna by the bride’s mother.

The Vidai ceremony is often an emotional and tearful moment for the bride and her family, as they say their final goodbyes and wish each other well.

Tip 1: If the travel to the groom’s place is long, make sure you are dressed in comfortable attire. Trust us, it looks like a small tip but will go a long way to provide you with comfort. And don’t worry, you can still look stylish in these attires by taking inspiration from some celebrity weddings on post-wedding attires

Conclusion

These weddings are truly a celebration of love and culture, showcasing a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity. And as we've seen, the festivities don't end with the wedding day - there's still so much more to discover in the post-wedding rituals. From the emotional Vidaai to the fun-filled reception, each tradition captures the essence of Marathi culture and is sure to leave a lasting impression. So, whether you're a part of the wedding party or simply a curious observer, get ready for an unforgettable journey filled with traditions, cheerful moments, and delicious food.