After the ‘Griha
Shanti’, the ‘Mandap Mandva Maharut’ takes place.
This Gujarati custom involves the constructing of the area for
the actual Gujarati matrimonial rites. The parents of the couple
seek the blessings of Mother Earth and ask permission to commence
with the digging of the soil to erect the 'mandva' or 'mandap'
(platform erected for the wedding rites covered with a canopy).
Another Gujarati custom worthy of mention is the ‘Mosaalu’,
which originated centuries ago. Here, the parents start making
provisions for their daughter by gifting her with things on occasions
like 'Rakshabandhan' or 'Bhaibheej'. These gifts accumulate as
'Streedhan' (daughter's wealth). The Gujarati also follow this
custom along with the ‘Naada - Chadi’, where the 'mama'
(maternal uncle) comes with the 'Mosaalu' consisting of clothes,
jewelry and other gift items including the traditional Paanetar
(silk wedding sari - usually white with red border) and Chudo
(ivory bangle - now replaced with acrylic or plastic). The 'Mosaalu'
ceremony takes place one day before the wedding.
The 'Lagna', or the matrimonial ceremony, begins with the ‘Jaan’
or ‘Varghodo’ (grooms procession to the matrimonial
venue). The groom arrives at the venue and seeks blessings from
his mother-in-law, who then performs a ceremony to ward off evil
eyes. Meanwhile, before being led to the Mandap, the bride receives
her last gift Kanya Selu or a Gharcholu (a platter with a sari,
some jewellery, pretty footwear, and a Mangalsutra). The sari
is draped around her shoulders and she is led to receive the groom.
Garlands (Mangalsutra Varmala) are then exchanged and the bride
is escorted by her Mama (maternal uncle) to the mandap. The Gujarati
matrimonial rituals progress to the ‘Kanya Daan’,
which is conducted in front of the sacred matrimonial fire. The
bride’s parents, who give her away, fast all day, until
the actual matrimonial alliance ritual is over.
This Gujarati Wedding is then followed by ‘Hasta Milap’
(Hast Melap). A knot is tied with the bride’s sari and the
groom’s chunni. Symbolically, the hands are also joined
to potray the union of two souls. ‘Pheras’ (rounds)
take place around the fire as the priest (archarya) chants mantras.
The seven pheras around the fire are known as ‘Saptapadi’
or ‘Mangal Pheras’.
The ‘Vidai’ now takes place and involves the sending
of the bride to her new matrimonial house. This post - Gujarati
matrimonial ritual is very tearful and emotional on the bridal
side. It is important to conduct this ritual at an auspicious
time. Before leaving the house, the groom and the bride leave
imprints of their palms (dipped in vermilion) on the Ganesh Sthapna.
The bride is then escorted by her brother to her sasural (in-law’s
house). The welcoming of the bride into her matrimonial house
with an aarti and a tikka on her forehead is known as the ‘Varghodu
Pokhvanu’.
Though the Gujarati communities are traditional, they have integrated
modernism into their matrimonial system with the post and final
matrimonial ritual of the Reception. The reception is lavish and
elaborateness is spelled out in the food offered to the guests.
The post - matrimonial celebration of a Gujarati reception is
usually held in a hotel or a marriage hall. The couple starts
their new life exhilarated by the blessings bestowed upon them
by all the elders present.
