MAHARASHTRIAN WEDDING

MARATHI LAGNA SOHALA

Being an Indian no matter how far you go from culture and how we get yourself modernize but when it comes to wedding we dream traditionally getting married. This dream is since childhood one get young. This concept of society is thousand years old, and is followed by every community of the world. With some beliefs and traditions which a significance to each ritual.

India is a richly cultured country with many traditions and culture and marriage is celebrated in a very special way with lots of rituals, food, clothing, music, dance, lightnings, .

Maharashtrian ways of marriage are four days.

Day 1      kulkulachar

Day 2      Halad and Mehendi

Day 3      Simanti Puja

Day 4      Marriage day

KulKulachar (कूळकुळाचार) :- As per hindu religion before we start with a big event which is going to take place in our life we first pay tribute to our deveties . kulachar day in both the houses the bride and the groom perform puja of their kuldevata with their parents in their oun respective home. Generally a secret Bhog of puran poli is made on this day. The bride and the groom are not allowed to go out of the mandapa after kulkulachar till the marriage day. As they have to take a sankalp that will only be fulfilled on completion of marriage.

Halad :- Haldi (termari) is said to have a medicinal nature and has multiple characteristics in Ayurveda. Haldi has a anti oxidant boosting immunity and also used for beautifying. The bride and the groom in their own houses apply haldi. So they look glowing ang fair throughout the wedding and also prevent themselves from any illness throughout the wedding. The bride or the groom in their own houses are made to sit and 5 Sauvashni perform Ovalna (arti) and then apply oil and then halad paste is applied with mango leaves first in the feet then on knees shoulders and then forehead respectively. For  three times. The left over haldi is kept for the groom to be applied on the marriage day it is called usti halad.

Simanti Pujan:- Simanti pujan is on day before marriage. It is like an engagement and for introduction to the other family members of bride and groom. The bride and groom are gifted by their parents. There is a introductory sesseion of the other family members like mama of bride meets the mama of groom. Same as brothers uncles by giving sweets to each other. The mother of groom is also honoured on this day by giving her gifts ani  OTI to her. An ornament called “MUNDAVALYA” made from pearls which is tied on forehead is also given to bride and groom. This is worn only once in life time ie on ones marriage.

Marriage Day:- First thing in the morning the Halad from the bride ie USHTI HALAD is applied to groom by the female relatives of the bride. A puja is performed called Devdevak before the MUHURTA (perfect time for actual marriage). Just before the Lagna Muhurta the groom is taken to the Maroti Mandir. The reason behind this is his last prayer to lord MAROTI as a Bramhacharitra ( Batchlor) The groom is taken to the  Mandapa. The bride is also broight to the a Mandapa by her Mama (uncle) for the Anterpath. She is suppose to were a Shalu (silk heavy Saree) with shela (silk Shawl) on her shoulder. This is a symbol of elegance with mundavalya on the forehead. The pandit sings the mangalashtaka and all the family members give blessings.

Reception:- The bride and groom are asked to sit beside each other and family members can greet them and congratulate them.

Home Havan / Saptapadi :- according to the Hindu tradition Agni the fire is the most powerful Gods. It is generated by holy sticks and pure ghee. The bride and the groom has to make seven promises to each other for the betterment of themselves and society by taking Phere  in front of fire as a witness. The Mangalsutra, Jodve , Sindur are wore by the groom to the bride on this occasion as a symbol of marriage. Mostly Navaary Saree is dressed on this occasion. Groom is dressed in a Sola a silk attire.

Vihini chi pangat :- Lunch is offered in honour of mother of the groom and to other family members of the groom. With a warm welcome with flowers and Kumkum water the groom's mother is brought to the Pangat (place of lunch) and offer lunch in a silver crockery. The bride and groom has to give a bite to each other following a Ukhana ( name of each other in poetry)

Sunmukh:- This is a very cute ceremony. Sunmukh is a ceremony to make a bonding between the bride and the groom 's mother (sasu). She is gifted a makeup kit and a mirror. She makes both of them(bride/groom) sit beside her to see all three of them in  that mirror at the same time.

Zal :- The significance of Zal is to transfer the responsibility of a bride from her family (Maher) to the groom's family (sasar) . A large round surface shield made up of cane, small diyas made from floor mixed with milk are lightened on this shield. The Zal is put on the head of all the family members of the groom. 

Varat :- The bride is taken to the house of the groom with large procession to welcome her at her own house, the groom's house. With white silk saree and floral ornaments the bride significance of purity and divinity. She is welcomed with a pot full of rice kept in the middle of the main entrance of the house. She now has to push the pot by her right leg so that rice is spread at the entrance. A plate of water and Kumkum is kept after this, bride dips her legs in the water and she enters the house by making footprints of her legs as it is said " Laxmi has arrived in the house".

Laxmi Pujan :- The Hindu beliefs a bride comes in a form of Goddess Laxmi. Laxmi is a deity of money and prosperity A Laxmi Pujan is done after is welcomed in the house.

Satya Narayan :- This puja is done on the next day of the wedding. Ah every good occasion a satya Narayan puma is done in a Maharashtrian families. The puja is done to thank all the deities including Navagraha, by a new wedded couple.