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The Engagement:
After the horoscopes of the bride and groom are matched
and the decision is made for them to marry, a formal engagement
ceremony is held. An auspicious date is determined by the 'pujari'
(priest), and the bride's parents host the event. This is called
the 'mahurat'. Their home is decorated with flowers and mango
leaves and 'rangoli' patterns are made on the floor. 'Rangoli'
is coloured powder.
The groom arrives with his family and perhaps some close family
friends and the bride's parents welcome them.
The groom's parents bless the bride and gift her a 'sari', some
jewellery and flowers for her hair. The bride leaves to change
into the 'sari' and wear the jewellery gifted to her.
The bride's parents also bless the groom and give him a suit,
a watch and other gifts. They also have gifts for his parents,
usually clothes. The bride now returns, adorned in all her finery.
The couple exchanges rings after which, five 'sumangalis' (married
ladies) perform the 'aarti' for them and all the elders present
bless them.
The groom's parents distribute 'pedhas' (traditional Maharashtrian
sweetmeats) to the guests. Depending upon the time, light refreshments
or a vegetarian dinner is served.
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Bangdi Bharan: The bangle ceremony
This ceremony is held two days before the wedding, in the bride's
home. The 'bangadiwala' or bangle seller is called home. The bride's
mother gives him edible leaves, a coconut and one coin. He first
slips the green bangles on the bride's wrist. The bangles have
to be uneven in number. The bride's parents may also present her
with gold bangles, which are also slipped onto her wrist by the
'bangdiwalla'. The other ladies present at this occasion also
adorn their wrists with green glass bangles.
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Mehendi:The henna ceremony
Though this is not a traditional Maharashtrian ceremony,
it is popular and incorporated into wedding celebrations by many
families. Henna paste is applied on the palms and feet of the
bride by professional henna artists or 'mehendiwalis' in intricate
patterns and left on for several hours to dry and for the colour
to develop into a deep red. The bride's female friends and relatives
also have the henna paste applied to the palms of their hands.
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Previous day's celebrations:
Three or four days before the wedding, wheat is sown in
the earth and allowed to sprout.
One day before the wedding the 'mandap' (platform for the wedding
rites) is erected in front of the homes of the bride and groom.
On the right side of the 'mandap' the branch of an auspicious
tree is made to stand. In one corner of the 'mandap' two earthen
pots called 'delmaths' with lids are placed. The 'delmaths' contain
water, coins, 'haldi' (turmeric) and 'kumkum' (vermilion). They
are then tied with sacred thread and the wheat, which has sprouted
is strewn around them.
The bride with her parents and the groom with his, offer prayers
to these earthen pots and then tie sacred yellow thread with betel
leaf and turmeric sticks to the hands of the people present. These
symbolic bracelets called 'kankans' are supposed to be removed
after all the wedding ceremonies have been completed.
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Varpuja: Honouring the groom
On the day prior to the wedding the bride's mother washes the
groom's feet in a silver platter or 'thaali'. The 'varadakshina'
or groom's offering is given to him. Married ladies from the bride's
family perform an 'aarti' for him. His mother's feet are also
washed and she is presented with a sari.
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Haldi: Beautification rituals
After the 'varpuja' the next ceremony is held in the bride's
home.
A mixture of 'haldi' (turmeric) and oil is applied on her face,
hands and feet by 'sumangalis' or married ladies. She is then
led for her bath.
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Varaat: The wedding procession
On the wedding day, the groom sits and waits in a nearby temple
with his close relatives, for the bride's relatives to come
and fetch him for the wedding ceremony.
The bride's family shower him with gifts at this time and then
escort the groom, who is mounted on an elaborately decorated
mare to the wedding venue. These days he may choose to come
in a decorated car. This procession is called the 'varaat'.
On his arrival, the bride's parents wash the feet of the elderly
members from the groom's family and 'jaggery' is exchanged.
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Lagna
Mahurat: The wedding ceremony - divided
into following segments:
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Varmala: The couple exchanges garlands
After the priest determines the exact time for the wedding
rites the groom is led to the 'mandap' followed by the bride.
The bride is brought to the 'mandap' by her 'mama' (maternal uncle)
and stands on a 'pat' (wooden plank) in the west, facing east.
The priests begin the chanting of the 'mangal ashtaka' (eight
wedding verses), a narrative especially written for this wedding,
explaining the process of the wedding, introducing the bride and
groom and also containing advice for the couple on how to live
a happy married life.
The priest then chants a 'mantra' from the Vedas invoking power
from the forces of nature, strength from the planets and blessings
from the Almighty. The silk cloth, which was separating the couple,
is pulled away by the priests towards the north and the bride
garlands the groom, who in turn garlands her. The guests assembled,
shower them with rice mixed with 'kumkum' (vermilion).
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Sulagna: The blessing
After the 'varmala', the bride and groom are made to sit
on chairs while all the elders perform 'aarti' for them and shower
them with blessings, gifts and money. This act of blessing the
couple is called 'sulagna'.
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Hara Dhera: Bridal
send off
On the evening after the wedding rites are completed,
the groom's 'varaat' leaves taking the bride with them.
Before she leaves, the bride's parents give her 'hara dhera' -
a basket with floor lamps, 'chappatis' (typical Indian 'rotis'
made from wheat) and an idol of Lord Krishna. The dinner for the
journey is also packed and sent with the bride who is accompanied
by her sister and grandmother.
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Griha Pravesh: The bride enters her
marital home
The groom's mother and sister receive the bridal couple
at the doorstep. His older sister performs a brief 'aarti' with
a lighted oil lamp for them. The bride is then made to kick
over a grain measure filled with rice. This symbolizes her bringing
prosperity into the house. A little sugar is put into her mouth
as a good omen.
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Kankan: Untying
of bracelets
The day after the bride arrives in her marital home,
the 'kankans', which were tied to everybody's hands one day before
the wedding, are now removed.
A 'Satyanarayana Puja' (special 'puja' for Lord Vishnu) is conducted
and the couple comes back to the bride's home, where another 'Satyanarayana
Puja' is observed.
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Reception: Post wedding celebrations
Though this is not a social requirement, many families choose
to host a reception to celebrate the wedding and introduce the
bride and groom to their friends, family and even business associates.
This may either be a simple affair or as elaborate an event
as desired, hosted in a hotel venue with a live band and gourmet
food.
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