Engagement :

Normally, the engagement ceremony is conducted at the bride's place.Engagement or Sakharpuda

literally means 'a packet of sugar' which is given to each other. It could be a simple affair wherein
the bridegroom and his close relatives come to the bride's home. But it could also be organised by
bride's side on a larger scale inviting more guests. The bride flanked by her parents and karvali i.e.
bride's sister sit in a row on pat - wooden board. The bridegroom's mother applies haldi-kunku and
gives a sari to the bride into which bride is supposed to change. Thereafter the bridegroom's mother
does Oti Bharane and gives Sakharpuda - a cone shaped decorative parcel filled with pedhe. Giving
gifts to the bride's parents and karvali is optional. This means first, bridegroom's side has to give
their word to bride's side that they have fixed the alliance. Similarly, to give their consent in return,
the bride's mother invites the bridegroom, his parents and karvali to sit on the pat. She applies
kumkum tilak to the groom and his father and haldi-kunku to groom's mother and karvali and gives a
pant and shirt piece or any clothing item as also Sakharpuda to the groom. Again gifts to all others
are optional. After this ceremony, the bridegroom puts a ring on the bride's ring-finger - anamika -of
the left hand. The similar process is repeated by the bride. The guests are given pedhe, some
refreshments or a full meal. The engaged couple meets the guests and pays respect to elders by
touching their feet. This ceremony signifies the agreement of the alliance witnessed by many people.
 
Muhurt Karane : 
On an auspicious day, months before the wedding day, both the sides start wedding preparation.
Traditionally, it is called muhurt karane when at least five suvasini - married women are invited. With
iron pestle tied with mango leaves, one by one suvasinsi pound halkund (dried kaccha haldi) in iron
mortar into fine haldi powder, which is used during halad chadavane. Thereafter they roll out papads
and make sandage (soaked dals grinded with spices are made into tiny balls and dried in the Sun).
These days, this tradition is given a go-by. 
After muhurt, both the sides, especially, bride's side goes on a shopping spree. The bride's side
prepares for rukhvat - an exhibition of gift articles, decorative pieces, handicrafts, eatables such as
five types - each of dry fruits, fruits, ladoos, moramba, sweets etc. Actually this is to convey bride's
various skills but it goes without saying that anyone can contribute to this exhibition. 
On an auspicious day, the first invitation is given to Lord Ganesh by visiting his temple and then to
other Gods. Thereafter, invitations are given personally by parents or uncle-aunts, or any relative as
per the seniority of the invitees. Typically, the ladies carry a silver kunku karanda and silver bowl
with akshata -coloured rice. The inviting lady applies kunku to the lady of the house while the inviting
gentleman gives invitation cards topped with akshata to the man of the house and both formally
utter the invitation. The inviting couple is given some sweets or sugar to accept the invitation and the
sweet news. Because of distances and want of time, the invitations could also sent out by the post or
courier.
Gadagner/ Kelvan : 
The bride's close relatives and friends call over the bride and her family for a meal and give her a gift
and do oti bharane. The bridegroom's side do the same to the groom. Two-three days prior to the
wedding day, for gharacha gadgner, close relatives are invited for a meal at the bride's place where
gharacha aher i.e. parents' and close relatives' wedding gifts are given to the bride and similar
ceremony takes place at groom's side among his folks. The parents formally give expensive clothes,
jewellery, silverware etc to the bride.
Halad Chadavane : 
On the day before the wedding day, haldi powder pounded on the muhurt is made into a paste in a
plate. One by one, the five suvasini dip mango leaves - one in each hand - in plate of haldi paste and
apply it first on feet, then on knees, then on shoulders and then on forehead of the bride. Each
suvasini does this three times. Thereafter, the bride is given a nice massage of haldi paste depending
on her consent. Since these days the brides wear make-up they do not like too much yellowness on
the skin. Same ceremony takes place at the groom's side. Often, ushti halad i.e. haldi paste left over
after applying it to the groom, is taken to the bride's place and is applied to the bride. The
significance of haldi ceremony is that the aspiring couple is not supposed to go out and expose
themselves. This may take place on the wedding day before the ritual bath.
Simant Pujan : 
Simant literally means boundary. The groom and the marriage party (barati) are welcomed at the
boundary of the bride's village and her mother does puja of the groom. These days, it is done on the
wedding day itself at the venue of marriage. Bride's mother washes the groom's feet by pouring a
little water over his feet in a plate, does kumkum tilak, puts akshata on groom's head, does arati and
gives some sweet or madhupak (mixture of honey and curd). Groom's folks are also given sweets or
madhupak. The groom is made to sit in the venue and bride's father gives gifts like suit, jewellery etc
to the groom. Groom's mother and ladies go to bride's quarter and give her five saris, jewellery etc.

Sankalp : 
The day before the wedding day, parents of the bride and the groom in their respective places
announce the marriage that is witnessed by the priest. This ceremony may take place on the
wedding day itself.
Ganapatipujan :
The auspicious wedding ceremony begins with Ganpatipujan and a prayer is performed for Lord
Ganesh's blessing to take the wedding through without any problems or obstruction (nirvighna). This
prayer is performed at both the groom's as well as bride's quarters. 
Punyahvachan : 
For purification of minds and place, priests asks groom/bride and his/her father to pray and ask for
the blessings of everybody at their respective quarters. 
 
Devdevak : 
It is also called kuldevata sthapana wherein the family deity is invoked to bless the bridal couple and
the ceremony takes place at groom's as well as bride's quarters.
 
Gaurihar Puja : 
The bride attired in a yellow sari given by her maternal uncle and mundavalya (decorative strings of
pearls, beads, flowers) tied on the forehead apart from other jewellery and facial make-up is all
ready to get married. She sits on a pat in her room and in front of her, a silver idol of Parvati is
placed on a heap of rice on another pat. She keeps on taking some rice with both her hands and puts
atop the idol while praying the Goddess Annapurna. At this moment, the bride is not supposed to talk
and instead needs to concentrate on her prayers.
Lagna Muhurt :
Everybody present in the mandap is given akshata and everyone stands close to the mandap. The
groom, dressed in dhoti-kurta or salwar-kurta, head covered with topi and mundavalya tied on the
forehead, is invited to the mandap where he stands on a pat facing west and holding a thick garland.
The priests hold a cloth screen called antarpat in front of the groom chanting mangalashtaka. The
bride's maternal uncle escorts the bride to the mandap and she is asked to stand on the other side of
the antarpat also holding similar garland. Respective karvali stands behind the bride/groom with a
copper kalash containing holy water and topped with betel leaves and coconut. Another young girl
stands with arati. Mostly the bridegroom's mother stands behind the bride with eksari - black beads
string with big gold bead in the centre .
Enthusiastic relatives, friends and guests also get chance to sing their own compositions of
mangalashtaka which are typical Sanskrit or Marathi verses invoking Gods, describing the ceremony,
praising the bridal couple's family members, giving advise to the bridal couple and finally giving
blessing as also best wishes for the life together ahead. The Groom's mother puts across eksari
around bride's neck and is supposed to tie a knot at the end of each stanza of mangalashtaka. Each
stanza ends with "Kuryat Sada Mangalam, Shubh Mangal Savdhan" and everyone showering akshata
on the bridal couple. At the stroke of the muhurt, the priest chants last verses of the mangalashtaka
loudly removing the antarpat and among the traditional music of vajantri (consists of shehnai and
choughada) and/or modern band, the excitement builds up for the zero hour. The groom first puts a
garland around the bride's neck. The bride also does the same. The respective karvalis apply holy
water from the kalash to the eyes of bride and groom and perform arati. Ladies are given haldi-
kunku and all are given sweets mostly pedha. 
Kanyadan :
Bride's father gives the bride away to the groom. The priest asks the groom to join both the palms
and receive in it stream of holy water poured by bride's mother while bride's father says that he is
giving away in marriage his daughter to this gentleman so that both of them can start together a life
of Dharma, Artha and Kama. The groom accepts it saying that this is giving away love for love. The
one who gives love is also one who receives love. The groom tells the bride that she is the shower of
love, which has been given by the Sky and received by the Earth. He asks the elders to bless them. 
Then the bride asks for a promise from the groom that he will never violate her limits in Dharma,
Artha and Kama. The bride promises the groom that she will always belong to him like Sita-Savitri
and always be by his side.
The bride's parents perform Lakshmi Narayan Puja of the bridal couple considering them to be avatar
of Lakshmi Narayan. The couple ties on each other's hand a halkund with a thread and this is called
kankan bandhane. 
Akshataropan :
The bridal couple is asked to hold akshata in left hand and shower them with the right while
expressing their desire for gun samriddhi, dhan, dharma, santan (children), kirti etc. The priest and
elders pray that all their desires be fulfilled.
Mangalsutra bandhan : 
Chanting mantras, the groom puts mangalsutra around bride's neck.
Vivah Hom : 
A stone is kept to the west of the homkund (fire) and a pot of water is kept to its northeast. To the
north, four darbhas are spread on which there are two vessels. A pot of Ghee is kept nearby. The
priest tells the bridal couple that having taken the oath of marriage now, the same is to be taken in
the witness of the fire (agnisakshi). Then the priest asks the groom to give ahuti of ghee in the name
of Skanda, Prajapati, Agni and Som. The groom prays to Agni asking to make them pure and keep
their enemy away; asking for children and their long lives; asking to protect his bride and make her
give good progeny whom she would see by living a long life.
Lajja Hom : 
The priest asks the bride to join palms in which the groom puts a spoonful of ghee, a fistful of lahya
(puffed rice) and again a spoonful of ghee. The groom holds with both his hands the bride's joined
palms and puts this ahuti in the fire chanting mantras, which means that this girl has worshipped the
fire, which will never make her break loving ties with her in-laws. 
The groom holds the bride's right hand and goes around the fire and the pot of water chanting
mantras that mean, "I am Purush, you are Prakriti. I am the Sky, you are the Earth. I am a Song,
you are a Chhand (tune). With these conceptual ideas and love in mind, let us unite forever to
procreate. Let us live hundred years and always have mutual understanding. The bride is asked to
stand on the stone kept to the west of the fire. The groom asks her to remain steadfast like the
stone. 
Saptapadi : 
Having worshiped the fire, the priest asks the couple to take seven steps with the same thoughts and
determination. The groom, with his right hand, holds the bride's left hand and starts taking step
towards the north-east direction. First, the right foot is taken forward and then the left foot is joined
with it while chanting mantras. Like this, seven steps are taken. At every two feet, small heaps of
rice are kept on which they are supposed to tread. The couple asks for seven needs of life - one each
at each step. These are food, strength, wealth, happiness, progeny, pleasure of enjoying various
seasons and immortal friendship. The priest says that this sanskar has extremely strengthened the
bond of friendship between you (the couple) and may your lives be united like two bodies with a
single soul! 
The couple is asked to stand facing each other and touch their foreheads - literally meaning putting
their heads together for decision-making henceforth. A touch of humour is added to the ceremony
with the bride's brother twisting the groom's right ear to remind him of his responsibility towards his
sister. Bride's mother does oti bharane and gives a sari to the bride, which she wears. The groom
may also change into another comfortable pair of salwar-kurta. The couple touches the feet of elders
and get blessed. 
Manpan :
The bride's mother does oti bharane and gives saris to the groom's mother, sisters/sister-in-laws.
Bride's father gives gifts like pant-shirt piece to the groom's father and brothers/brother-in-laws.
Similarly, groom's parents give gifts to the bride's family. In tond dhune, the bride's mother gives a
sari and a jewellery piece like motyache tode or a gold ring or a pearl string to the groom's mother
along with a tea-set etc. In vyahi bhet, bride's father gives a silver glass to the groom's father. The
tond dhune and vyahi bhet are generally performed next day morning and are optional. 
Lunch :
If the Lagna muhurt is in the morning, there is a lunch party and a reception may be held in the
evening. If the Lagnamuhurt falls in the evening, then the dinner party combines with the reception. 
The groom's side is first invited for lunch after which other invitees follow. Bride's parents personally
look after each and every guest. Also the bridal couple meets each guest during lunch and often
serves sweets like bundicha ladoo or jilebi. The guest may insist that the bridal couple take each
other's name in verses - nav ghene. When bridal couple, groom's parents and karvalis sit for lunch,
bride's mother and other suvasinis perform arati of the couple and groom's parents and karvalis.
Amidst a lot of fun and laughter, the bride feeds the groom a morsel of sweet and takes his name in
verses and vice-versa. After meal there is lavang tod - another humorous ritual wherein the bride
holds a clove between her teeth and the groom cuts it with his teeth.
Reception :
The bride wears shalu - jari brocaded silk sari given by the groom's side and jewellery while the
groom wears suit given by the bride's side. Guests greet, bless or give good wishes to the couple
along with the wedding gifts. A feast is organised for the guests. Close relatives and friends are given
return gifts. The bridal couple with their families sit together for the meal and share joy and
happiness of the occasion.
Varat :
The ultimate emotional scene of the entire ceremony is when the bride is bid a goodbye. The groom
picks up the silver idol of parvati that is still sitting on gaurihar. The couple touch the feet of elders
and the bride meets with all family members who give her a tearful hug. The couple sits in a vehicle
and the procession, with a band and fireworks, goes to the groom's place.

Grihpravesh :
The couple comes to the doorstep and the groom's mother does arati of the couple. The bride topples
map - a measuring vessel - filled with rice. It signifies that this bride - a Lakshmi - will bring so much
luck that prosperity will flow in the house like the rice flowing out of the toppled vessel. A white sheet
is spread in front of the couple and the bride dips her feet in a thali filled with a watery kumkum
paste and places it on the sheet. These are considered Lakshmi's steps.
The couple sits and the groom places the silver idol of Parvati that he carried and places it in a plate
of rice and writes the bride's new name. The groom's mother does oti bharane of the bride. The
groom's mother sits between the couple and sees the bride's face in the mirror - this is called
soonmukh baghane. The couple gives sugar to all present and they have to take names in verses
several times. 
Suhagrat :
The couple retires to a decorated room with a bed bedecked in flower, to consummate the marriage.
The bride takes glass of warm milk for the groom and awaits him. The young relatives tease the
groom to heighten the excitement and send him into the room.
Halad Utaravane :
Next day morning, five suvasinis do the same as halad chadhavane but in reverse order. This is to
signify that now the couple is free to go out. The groom mother unties kankan – halkund tied on the
couple's hand. 
Tikhati Mejwani :
Among non-vegetarian Maharashtrians, especially CKP community, a non-veg feast is organised at
both the quarters separately for the close relatives within a day or two. Typically, the main dish is
mutton-vade or mutton biryani and the liquor may be served before the food. In olden days, even
women used to sip liquor from small silver bowls and was funnily called nathi vagdya karane i.e. to
take aside nose rings to facilitate the sips.