Wedded to traditions

If the lifestyles of Marwaris have evolved to become more lavish, extroverted and extravagant, then so have their weddings. Yet Marwari weddings are very traditional when it comes to customs and rituals, which weave in fun, entertainment, celebrations and participation of members of both sides of the couple to help forge better bonds. MARWAR lists the various customs and rituals that make up the grand Marwari wedding.

- Pooja Mujumdar

IN INDIA, WEDDINGS ARE A LAVISH affair, but Marwari weddings are famous for taking them to another level altogether. Marwari weddings are typified by outrageous splurges and unbridled festivity, but what makes them truly one of a kind are the seemingly never-ending customs and rituals, with each and every one of them weaving in its own allure to give the wedding a deeper meaning and connect—usually with the aim of delicately preparing the couple for their life ahead. We bring you some of the rituals that typify Marwari weddings.

Before the wedding

The pre-wedding celebrations start with the Mudha-Tikka, or the more commonly known Sagaai ceremony. This is the engagement ceremony that is hosted at the groom’s house, with the male members of the bride and the groom’s families in attendance. The women of the two families generally do not participate in this ceremony. The occasion sees the bride’s brother sealing the betrothal by applying a tilak of kumkum and rice on the groom’s forehead. doing this signifies a customary acceptance of the match on both sides. nowadays, quite a few couples are taking it upon themselves to exchange engagement rings instead during this ceremony.

The wedding rituals formally commence with the Ganapati Sthapana ceremony that takes place two days before the wedding. an idol of lord ganesha is installed in both the bride and the groom’s respective houses, and the family members offer prayers to the god, asking him to bless the couple’s union. Another important ceremony is the Griha Shanti puja, which sees the two families getting their family priests to perform a havan in their respective homes. This is done to appease the grahas or planets and seek their blessings for the couple and their families. Offerings are also made to the consecrated fire during the havan.