Meanwhile at the
groom’s house, the matrimonial procession gets ready to
leave. The community’s love for pomp and gaiety finds expression
through dance and music that accompanies the procession. Once
at the bride’s house, ‘Rukhavat’, a traditional
breakfast, is served to them.
In Maharashtrian matrimonials, the actual wedding ritual is performed
in segments. Her mother’s brother brings the bride into
the mandap. The mandap decoration speaks volumes of the community’s
love for colour and excitement. True to the Maharashtrian matrimonial
traditions, garlands are exchanged, which is known as ‘Varmala’.
Interestingly, the bride’s mother is not allowed to witness
the garlanding.
The matrimonial ritual begins with the chanting of the ‘Mangal
Ashtaka’. Once the mantra from the Veda has been chanted,
the cloth (Antarpaat) separating the couple is removed and the
family, friends and other members present, shower the couple with
rice and kumkum (Akshata). ‘Kanayadan’ is then performed
by the girl’s father by placing the groom’s right
hand in his daughter’s right hand. In Maharashtrian Wedding
rituals, like most Indian matrimonials, seven rounds around the
havan are taken (Saptapadi.) Like in every Indian community, the
bridegroom ties a mangalsutra around the bride’s neck.
As per the Marathi tradition, ‘Sun Mukh Baghne’ then
follows wherein the mother-in-law peeks at her newly wedded daughter-in-law’s
face. As per the community practice the bride also receives a
new name. Aashirwad is then sought by the couple by touching their
elder’s feet.
In Maharashtrian wedding, the luncheon that follows the matrimonial
ceremony is peculiar, where the groom’s family eats first
while the bride’s family waits at the mandap. The couple
takes rounds where the guests are being served lunch. The matrimonial
alliance ends with the ‘Vidaai’, where the groom goes
to the shrine where his bride had earlier worshipped Goddess Gauri
and takes the figure of the deity with him. The couple bid farewell
to the bride’s parents and leaves for the bride’s
new matrimonial home, where the groom’s mother and sister
greet her with an aarti.
The Maharashtrian matrimonial alliance is not complete without
the Reception. Relatives and friends of the community are invited
and the reception is normally held at night.
