Types of Indian Wedding - Maharashtrian Wedding

The Maharashtrian Marriage Rituals usually start in the mornings. Usually observed by the Marathis the entire wedding process be it a arranged or love marriage, starts with matching the horoscopes. Astrology plays a key role in Indian Weddings. After the family priest matches the gunas or horoscopes of Bride and Groom, the date is finalized for other ceremonies. 

The preparation of the wedding starts with Sakhar Puda. This is the first ritual of the wedding. As the marriage is finalized the bride-to-be is gifted a Red colored Wedding Sari along with a some sugar or Marathi sweets, by the groom’s family. This is usually symbolic to an informal Engagement of the couple.

After this a 'Puja' is performed at the respective houses of Bride and Groom called Kelvan Ritual. In this ceremony, both the families offer their prayers to their Kuldevta .

The Halad Chadavane or Haldi ceremony involves mango leaves that have been immersed in haldi paste. Its applied on the body of Bride and Groom. Haldi is considered auspicious and has been scientifically proved to have medicinal value. If applied in a form on paste, haldi improves complexion and reduces the affects of acne. This is followed by Ghana Bharne. Performed by Five Married Women grinding rice grains holding five sticks together.  The bride and her mother holds the sticks to give direction. Similar thing is performed by the groom’s mother at her place.

The Wedding Celebration of the Maharashtrian Wedding begins with a Ganapati Puja to seek blessings of Lord Ganesh. The Maternal Uncle walks the Bride to the Mandap where the main ceremony will take place. The Seeman Puja is conducted when the Groom arrives at the Wedding venue. The Bride's parents wash groom's feet as a sign of welcome, and shower him with gifts usually made of gold. 

At the Mandap a silk partition is created to separate the Bride and Groom. It  is said that Bride and Groom should not look at each other as it brings bad luck. Now the priest recites Mantras, and the antarpat (silk veil) dividing the Bride and Groom is removed for the couple to see each other. The guests shower the couple with akshata or unbroken rice grains as the couple exchange garlands. This is meant to bring luck to the newly weds. 

The Kanyadan ceremony is done by the Bride's parents. Her hand is given to the Groom formally and holy water is poured as the Priest chants vedic mantras. The Groom ties the Mangalsutra around the Bride's neck and finalizing the final act of marriage ceremony. In the Hindu traditions, Sndoor or Vermillion and Mangalsutra are true symbols of a married women. 

The Seven Vows or Satapadhi ritual is when the couple take seven vows or seven circles around the Sacred fire. The fire deity is appeased and the couple ask blessings.
After each circle around the fire, the Bride has to touch her right foot to a heap of rice. Seven heaps of rice for seven circles around the fire.

 The girl also has to touch seven small heaps of rice with her right foot.

The Karmasampati ritual is when the Bride’s father, along with the newly married couple, prays to the lord for his blessings. To add a dash of humor to the ceremony, sometimes bride’s father or brother playfully twist groom’s ear, reminding him of his responsibility towards the bride. All this is followed by a grand lunch to mark the completion of wedding ceremonies.

The Vidai or Varat ritual marks the emotional moment when bride bids goodbye to her family members and take steps towards her husband’s house. The Newlyweds proceed to their new home and the Groom's family welcomes the new member to her house. Aarti is done and blessings give as the Bride enters  her new home. She is considered the pride of the family now, who will bring success and prosperity to the family. Her entry in the new house is considered auspicious and she is welcomed in the family with full warmth and love. 

Types of Indian Weddings- Malayalee Wedding

We have heard of the Big Fat Indian Weddings everywhere. In contrast, the Malayalee weddings are short and simple.  Rich in traditions and rituals, Malayalee Weddings start with finding the right Muhurtham. Once the horoscopes of bride and groom are matched, a auspicious day/date is set for other important rituals of the wedding. This is usually done by the Family Priest or Astrologer. 

Post this there is the Engagement Ceremony, usually held at the bride's home. Though a small affair, almost all close family members/relatives are invited to bless the couple. This ceremony usually confirms the marriage. The couple exchange rings, and is followed by a lavish feast of traditional mouthwatering delicacies. Puja or visit to a temple is a must in every wedding. The  family appeals to the Family Deity to bless them. This is usually done a day prior to the Wedding date. The bride has to sit facing the East and is served a five course vegetarian meal as everyone else. Post this the bride offers prayers to the Almighty and seeks blessings from elders. Similar ceremonies are held at the Groom's residence as well. 

On the Wedding Day, before proceeding at the venue, the Bride and Groom seek blessings from all the elders present. Bride wears rich saree embossed in gold. Bride usually wears a two- piece saree known as the set saree. 

Her hair is adorned with fresh jasmine flowers and wears a lot of gold jewellery. The groom on the other hand is dressed in a simple dhoti and a plain white silk shirt. Malayalee grooms also wear a lot of gold jewellery like rings, bracelets and chains.

The groom is welcomed by the bride’s family to the beats of traditional music. The music is played as a gesture of welcoming the groom and his family. The bride’s brother welcomes the groom by washing his feet at the doorstep. The groom responds to this gesture by gifting the brother something usually made of gold. Thereafter the groom proceeds to the 'mandap' accompanied by his relatives. He sits next to his bride in the mandap who is already present there after making three rounds around the mandap.

The wedding ceremony is called Veil. This is conducted by the priest. The groom ties a Mangalsutra known as “thaali” in Malayalam round the bride’s neck during the muhurtham. The couple then exchanges garlands and this ritual is followed by Kanyadaan. 

Kanyadaan is usually done by the Bride’s father. The Father- of- the- bride places the bride’s hand over the groom’s hand symbolically suggesting that he hands over the responsibility of his daughter to the Groom. 

The couple then circles the mandap thrice and the groom then applies 'vermillion' also called 'Sindoor' on the bride’s forehead at the parting of her hair. The bride then applies sandalwood paste on the groom’s forehead and the couple seek blessing from their parents. 

The Wedding Ceremony is followed by lavish meal hosted by the Brides family. Post Wedding Rituals are usually a Reception hosted by the Grooms Family. This function is usually done to formally introduce the Bride to the extended family. 

The bride is welcomed by the maternal sister of the groom. This is usually called Grihapravesham. She welcomes her with an aarti performed using a traditional lamp which she then hands over to the bride. The bride walks into her new house holding the burning lamp in her hand. The bride and groom are then offered a mixture of sweetened milk and banana.

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Visiting the bride’s home: A day after the wedding the bride and the groom along with a few of the groom’s relatives, visit the bride’s home. A lavish feast is arranged for them. The bride and the groom then pay a visit to both their close relatives to formally introduce each other.