Month: February 2022
Like all wedding celebrations in India, Marathi matrimonial functions go for a number of days. Most of the weddings in Marathi are grand and has several rituals that begin several days before the actual wedding day. According to Marathi matrimonial, many rituals happen before and after the wedding day. Alliances for Marathi matrimony were earlier searched with the help of village priests or relatives, but now matrimonial websites are becoming popular to find the bride or groom for Marathi community.
The main wedding rituals happen in the morning though some happens in the afternoon too. All depends on the muhurat, which is the auspicious time to tie the knot according to Hindu rites. One common muhurat or auspicious time is when cows return in the morning after grazing fields. This muhurat is known as Goraj Muhurta. As a custom, no Hindu Marathi matrimonial takes place in the night.
Some common rituals before the day of wedding in Marathi custom are Sakhar Puda, Kelvan, and Kuldevta. Horoscope of girl and boy are matched. The family astrologer matches the horoscopes and checks compatibility issues. With all things sorted, the families gets ready for wedding celebrations. The Sakhar Puda ritual, boy and girl have a piece of gur (jaggery). This is similar to engagement in other communities of India. The boys parents present the girl with traditional sari and green bangles. The bride to be wears the green bangles. Once this ritual is completed, both the families sends wedding invitation cards to relatives and friends.
Kelvan ritual is a happy time when both the families meet at the bride to be house and enjoy a feast of traditional Marathi cuisine. This family get together happens two-three days before the wedding day.
Like all Hindu community-wedding rituals, a prayer offering to Hindu deities is necessary before beginning of anything. Even in Marathi matrimony customs, the families worship the Hindu gods and seek their blessings.
Wedding day activities in a Marathi matrimonial involves several small and big rituals. There is the Haldi ceremony where the bride and groom is applied a paste of turmeric, cream, sandalwood and scented oil. With the help of mango leaves, this paste is applied in all over the body. Then both the bride and groom are given a ritual bath.
Another wedding day ritual is the Seemant Puja where the family members of groom visit the brides house and they have delicious lunch of local delicacies.
The priest who chants Mangalashtakas which are holy verses to seel blessing of Hindu gods and goddess, conducts the wedding ceremony. Family members and close relatives are present during the rituals. At the end of each verse, the priest explains the meaning of verse to the gathering of people. The groom ties the mangalsutra along the brides neck and then both of them exchange garlands. Another common ritual in Marathi matrimonial wedding is the saptapadi, where the bride and groom encircles the holy fire.
Other wedding days rituals are Laxmi Pooja and Kanyadaan (Jhal Phirwane).
The post wedding Marathi matrimony rituals are Sun Mukh Baghne, where for the first time the grooms mother see her new daughter in law s face. She combs her hair. This is symbolic and implies that they should have a relation like mother-daughter. No wedding is complete without wedding dinner.
Navratri is one of the most important festivals of India. Goddess Durga is worshipped during this festival. It is celebrated twice in a year first in April and second in October or November. It held great importance. This festival is full of dance, puja, music and enjoyment; therefore people eagerly wait for it. One more thing that has much importance is clothing. Women plays major part as there are special different nine color sarees made for them known as navratri dresses. Women adorn them with beautiful saris.
Navratri as name suggests is festival that lasts for nine days. And for these nine days different color sarees are suggested and women wear them accordingly. Like holi navratri is also festival of colors. Women in different color saris enhance show of this festival all the way more. They are particularly called navratri saris. Seeing all women in same color saris reminds us of our tradition and also entails that we are still cling to our custom. Hence navratri sarees make this festival more evident. Not only decoration is important but clothing also to instill true feeling of festival.
It is a great fun to see number of women in same color saris. All look the same. It is great to follow tradition properly and dress up accordingly. Navratri sarees are portrayal of the bond and the love that still persists between people. There is a great variety of navratri sarees. Just wearing same color sari is required not same style, design and pattern. Women are free to wear any style sari that suit them and enhance their appearance.
It is believed that goddess Durga has nine forms and nine color sarees represent them. Though it is mostly a tradition of Gujarat and Maharashtra but it has greatly spread all over India. Now during navratri all over India women wear different color saris on each of the nine days. Those nine colors are fixed but their sequence keeps changing every year. Colors are Parrot Green, Orange, Yellow, Sky Blue, Pink, Grey, Green, Ink Blue, Royal Blue and Red. Red color sari is worn on the last navratra that is Dussehra. Find out what is the order of colors for sarees this year and start doing preparation as navratri is about to come. These colors show the true spirit of devotees. It shows in true sense they are celebrating navratri and has great admiration for this festival.
Dandiya raas is another highlight of this festival. Some wait for navratris for it only. It takes place in the evening after finishing with all the daily chores. Sweets are prepared; dressing is its another important aspect. Lehenga choli is most worn attire during dandiya raas as it is comfortable and elegant in looking. Men and women dance with sticks. There is a special way of dancing and those who know enjoy to the fullest.
Navratri saris also give you chance to showcase fashion by experimenting with different style blouses, decorative accessories and jewelry. Enjoy all nine days of navratri with exclusive navratri saris.