Maharashtrian post-wedding rituals are as simple as the customs followed on the day of the wedding. After tying the nuptial knot, the bride and the groom seek the blessings of the elderly people of their family, feast on a lavish dinner at the reception party and enter the latter's home to start a new life. The entire post-wedding ceremony, although observed religiously, incorporates a number of things that make it very interesting to witness. If you are keen about knowing the post-wedding ceremonies of a marriage held in the typical Maharashtrian way, then go through the following lines.
Maharashtrian Post-Wedding Customs
Reception Party
Reception party is hosted on the night of marriage. Special feast is prepared for the occasion. Firstly, the groom’s family members are seated to savor the lip-smacking dishes. The newly married couple takes rounds of the mandap, as to ensure that everybody is enjoying the dinner. Thereafter, the bride’s family is invited to have their dinner.
Changing The Bride's Name
Changing the bride's name after marriage has been a custom prevalent among the Maharashtrians in India, since ages. This ceremony is usually held at the groom’s house, post marriage. Om Ganeshay Nama and the kuldevta's name are inscribed and then the groom traces his wife’s name in a plate full of rice.
Varat
Varat is one of the touching moments of the Maharashtrian wedding ceremony. During the ritual, the bride bids goodbye to her family. Thereafter, the newly married couple touches the feet of the elderly people in their family to seek blessings, in order to start a new life. The couple sits in a vehicle, which is followed by a procession of band and fireworks that leads to the groom's house.
Grihapravesh
Grihapravesh is the post-wedding ritual wherein the bride formally steps into the groom's house along with him. At the doorstep, the groom's mother welcomes the newly wed, to their home, and does the aarti of the couple. The bride topples a measuring vessel filled with rice, to enter the home. This gesture symbolizes that the bride brings in so much luck, that prosperity flows throughout the house, just as the rice flows out of the toppled vessel.
Suun Mukh Baghne
As per the suun mukh baghne ritual, the groom’s mother initiates the entry of her daughter-in-law in her new home. The bride’s mother-in-law looks (baghne) at her daughter-in-law's (sunn) face (mukh). She also looks at her face in the mirror. Thereafter, she combs her daughter-in-law’s hair. This tradition reminds of the beautiful mother-daughter relationship.
Tond Dhune And Vyahi Bhet
Tond dhune is conducted on the next day after the wedding. The groom's mother presents a sari and jewelry made of pearl, to the bride. In order to reciprocate the affection shown, the bride's father presents the groom a gift made of silver.
