Maharashtrian weddings are elaborate and charming affairs with light moments, like the bride`s brother twisting the groom`s ear and so on. The couple is first initiated into Grihasthashram, which is a vow taken by both to unite and be together all their life while pursuing dharma, artha, karma, moksha. The bride questions the groom to promise her that he will never violate her limits or maryada and the groom asks her to always remain dedicated and loyal to her. Thus the Maharashtrian wedding believes in the equal bondage of love and dedication between both the husband and wife. They lovingly agree to dedication and have progeny.
The elderly members of the bride`s family welcome the guests at the doorstep. They apply perfume by an attardani on the back of the right hand of the guests and rose water is sprinkled from gulabdani. Maharashtrian truly reflects the rich heritage and culture of the family. Sweets are distributed very often during the ceremony. Among all the people living in India, Maharshtrians perhaps have the simplest and least luxurious marriage ceremony.
Matchmaking in Maharastrian marriage- The process of match making is called Lagnaach Bedi. Although these days love marriages are quite widespread, many boys and girls still prefer to go in for marriages fixed by parents. Typically, Maharshtrians go in for marriage association between equal status families. However, family pundit finalizes the marriage union only after matching of the horoscopes. After this, the pundit decides the auspicious date for the wedding.
Once both the boy and girl reach the suitable age, the parents of the concerned parties start the hunt. They look out for a match from a family of equal standards. Though now days most of the times the bride and the groom choose themselves and then only the introduction of both the parties are done. The task of ensuring the compatibility of the boy and girls stars plays a very important role. The horoscope of the bride and the groom are then shown to the family pundits. All the gunas have to be matched only then can the boy and girl tie the knot. Only after it has been determined that the horoscopes have matched can both the parties start with the preparations of the wedding.
Costumes - Bridal costume and Grooms Attire
The Maharashtrian Wedding dress is as usual gorgeous and eye catching as the wedding dresses in other communities. The bride wears a conventional Maharashtrian green colored sari. Most commonly the Paithani kind of sari is used. The bride for the wedding wears the typical Maharashtrian seven pearl studs. The bride also wears green bangles, considered to be very fortunate for any function. The bride wears toe rings, pearl and bead nath or the nose ring and a bright bindhi. The groom is dressed in dhoti or salwar and kurta, or sherwani.
Wedding feasts are served on banana leaves and people are seated on the floor to enjoy the feast. The bride, the groom, and their families eat on silver plates. Few special Maharashtrian wedding dishes include batata bhaji, pitlai, sheera, varan, shrikhand, vatanyachi usal.
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