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After the engagement ceremony, or Sakhar Puda, the wedding preparations begin in full swing in the Maharashtrian household. One of the first ceremonies that the families come together for is the Muhurt Karane ceremony. In Maharashtra, weddings are a chance for the extended family and community to come together and celebrate the bride and groom. The Muhurt Karane reflects that very sentiment. It is held at the bride’s home and hosted by the bride’s mother. She invites five married women or ‘suhasanies’ to help with various wedding tasks. One of the most important tasks is making turmeric powder to be used for the upcoming Haldi Chadavane ceremony. The women get together and ground turmeric and spices in a traditional mortar and pestle. They also make and roll out Sandiges and Papads from scratch. Sandige is a fried snack, popular in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is made from rice, sago, and wheat and flavoured with cumin, chilli, and other spices. Papad is a similar snack popular all over the country, made from bean flour, lentils, chickpeas, rice, tapioca, millet or potato. After the turmeric is grounded and the papads rolled out, the women hold a Rukhvat. In this, a series of items are laid out on a decorative table. These are items that the bride will take to her husband’s house after marriage, much like a bridal trousseau. The women in the family plan ahead for the Rukhvat and meticulously select items and display them aesthetically. The display can include trousseau items such as sarees, lehengas, and jewellery. It can also include meaningful items such as Ganesha idols, paintings, and heartfelt messages, as well as practical household items such as cutlery, candle stands, and linens. Sweets and confectionary are also a must to have on the table! During the Muhurt Karane, the hosts will set the mood with traditional and folk Maharashtrian music. The state is known for its diverse musical traditions, such as the Hindustani and Powada styles. Another important part of Maharashtrian music is ‘Bhakti Sangeet,’ which are songs devoted to gods. This genre includes ‘Abhangs‘ and ‘Bharuds,’ which are songs dedicated to Lord Vitthal. Bhavageet literally translates to ’emotional poetry’ and combines poetry with music.
Before professional wedding planners, the bride and groom’s family, neighbours, and village helped organise the wedding. The Muhurt Karane ceremony reflects that communal sentiment as it brings together the community and makes them a part of the wedding. The rituals highlight the importance of collective support, where the ‘suhasanies’ help with the wedding preparations and are simply there for the bride and her family. The notion of togetherness reflects the deep-rooted values of community and solidarity in Maharashtrian culture.
Each aspect of the ceremony has a rich meaning. For instance, the turmeric powder that the women make is very significant. In Ayurveda, turmeric has over 100 names, including ‘jayanti’, which refers to victory over diseases, and ‘matrimanika’, which means ‘as beautiful as moonlight’. The turmeric powder will be made into a paste with oil, milk, rosewater, and sandalwood.
It will be smeared on the bride and groom in the Haldi Chadavane ceremony. This is because turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory, exfoliating, and brightening properties that soothe the skin and give it an inner glow. In Hinduism, it is also believed to ward off evil spirits and wash away all impurities from the mind, body, and soul. Beyond its cosmetic benefits, turmeric is believed to alleviate pre-wedding jitters due to its mild antidepressant properties. The vibrant yellow hue stands for fertility, purity, good fortune, and good health.
Besides the turmeric powder, the Rukhvat ritual also has a rich history. Historically, it was a display of the bride’s skills and talents. They would present handcrafted items such as paintings, embroidery pillows, crochet crafts, and other items. The more the in-laws were impressed by the bride’s abilities, the better her chances of being accepted by the family. The Rukhvat was a grand showcase of the bride’s family’s status and reputation. Even today, Rukhwat remains an integral part of Maharashtrian weddings, with families striving to create elaborate displays to please the groom's family and their guests.
For the Muhurt Karane ceremony, the bride wears a saree. Since this is a fun and intimate ceremony, she can dress up in a simple, elegant ensemble or an elaborate look. The traditional Paithani holds a special place among the Maharashtrian weaves. They are cherished possessions in a woman’s closet and are often passed down through generations. So, the bride may wear a saree given to her by her mother.
Pure silk Paithani sarees, known as Rajvastra, are regal and opulent, featuring vibrant colours and intricate designs.
Some exquisite designs include the Morbangadi, a peacock motif, and the Munia brocade, charming parrot motifs in leaf green hues. Other popular designs are lotuses, swans, flowers, vines, and coconuts.
There are several other types of Paithani sarees. The Kad and Ekdhoti sarees are made with a single shuttle weaving technique, while Kadiyal sarees have borders with interlocking patterns. The bride may choose a parrot green saree, Raghu, for a vivacious look or an ivory Shirodak saree for a sophisticated aesthetic. Guests can also wear sarees, many older women prefer that. They can choose the classic green or yellow or a pure black Kalichandrakala for a contemporary look. Younger guests can also wear anarkalis, lehenga sets, sharara sets, or indo-western ensembles.
The Maharashtrian bride is all beauty and charm in her traditional jewellery sets. Her look typically includes gold jewellery on her ears, neck, and arms, while silver jewellery is only worn on the feet. She need not wear a complete set of bridal jewellery, but instead curate a more minimal look that focuses on certain unique pieces — and she has plenty of choices there!
The Putli Haar is a beautiful necklace jewellery crafted from a silk braided patwa chord and strung with multiple gold lockets bearing the image of Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is a symbol of fortune and fertility, making this necklace even more meaningful.
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