A number of colorful and interesting pre-wedding rituals take place in a Maharashtrian wedding. Maharashtrian Pre Wedding Rituals includes Engagement,Muhurt Karane,Kelvan, Simant Pujan & sankalp.

Engagement: The engagement ceremony is conducted at the bride`s place. Engagement or Sakharpuda literally means `a packet of sugar, which is given to each other. It is usually suppose to be a simple affair wherein the groom and his close relatives come to the bride`s home.

The bride flanked by her parents and karvali i.e. bride`s sister (usually a younger and single) sit in a row on a wooden board. The groom`s mother applies haldi-kunku and gives a sari to the bride, which she is supposed to wear. Thereafter the groom`s mother does Oti Bharane and gives Sakharpuda - a cone shaped decorative parcel filled with peda (sweet). This ceremony symbolizes that groom`s side has given their word to the bride`s side that they have fixed the alliance.

Similarly, to give their consent in return, the bride`s mother invites the bridegroom, his parents and karvali to sit on the wooden board. She applies kumkum tilak to the groom and his father and haldi-kunku to groom`s mother and karvali and gives a clothing item as also Sakharpuda to the groom. After this ceremony, the bride and the groom exchange rings.

Muhurt Karane: On an auspicious day both the sides start wedding preparation. Traditionally, it is called muhurt karane when at least five married women (suvasini) are invited. With iron pestle tied with mango leaves, one by one they pound dried haldi (halkund) in iron mortar into fine haldi powder, which is used during haldi function. Thereafter they roll out papads and make sandage (soaked dals grinded with spices are made into tiny balls and dried in the Sun).

After muhurt, both the sides, especially, bride`s side goes on a shopping spree. The bride`s side prepares for rukhvat - an exhibition of gift articles, decorative pieces, handicrafts, eatables such as five types - each of dry fruits, fruits, ladoos, moramba, sweets etc. Actually this is to convey bride`s various skills but it goes without saying that anyone can contribute to this exhibition.

On an auspicious day, the first invitation is given to Lord Ganesh by visiting his temple and then to other Gods. Thereafter, parents as per the seniority of the invitees give invitations personally. Typically, the ladies carry a silver kunku karanda and silver bowl with akshata - coloured rice for invitations.

Kelvan: The respective close relatives and friends call over the bride and the groom and their family for a meal and give her gifts. Two-three days prior to the wedding day, for gharacha Kelvan, close relatives are invited for a meal at the bride and the groom`s place and close relatives`. Wedding gifts are given to the bride. Similar ceremony takes place at groom`s side among his folks.

Halad Chadavane: On the day before the wedding day, haldi powder pounded on the muhurt is made into a paste in a plate. One by one, the five suvasini dip mango leaves - one in each hand - in plate of haldi paste and apply it first on feet, then on knees, then on shoulders and then on forehead of the bride. Each suvasini does this three times. Same ceremony takes place at the groom`s side. Often, ushti halad i.e. haldi paste left over after applying it to the groom, is taken to the bride`s place and is applied to the bride. After the haldi ceremony, the would be bride and groom are not supposed to go out of the house,until the Haldi Utaravane ritual.

Simant Pujan: Simant literally means boundary. The groom and the invitees are welcomed at the boundary of the bride`s home or village and her mother does puja of the groom. These days, it is done on the wedding day itself at the venue of marriage. Bride`s mother washes the groom`s feet by pouring a little water over his feet in a plate, does kumkum tilak, puts akshata on groom`s head, does aarti and gives some sweet. The groom is made to sit in the venue and bride`s father gives gifts in form of a piece of clothing and jewellery to the groom. Groom`s mother and ladies go to bride`s quarter and give her five saris and jewellery.

Sankalp: The day before the wedding day, parents of the bride and the groom in their respective places announce the marriage that is witnessed by the priest. This ceremony may take place on the wedding day itself.