Wedding Puja
A traditional Marathi wedding is a sacred and joyous occasion filled with rituals that signify love, commitment, and family unity. This document covers the key ceremonies of the wedding, including:
Engagement (Sakharpuda) - The official commitment ceremony between the bride and groom.
Mangalashtak - Vedic chants blessing the couple.
Saptapadi - The seven vows taken together for a prosperous married life.
Satyanarayan Pooja - A ritual to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu for peace and happiness.
The engagement, known as Sakharpuda, is a pre-wedding ritual where both families bless the couple and mark the beginning of their journey together. The bride's family gifts her a symbolic packet of sugar, signifying sweetness in the upcoming married life.
"May your life be filled with love, trust, and happiness. May this new journey bring prosperity and joy to both families."
"On this auspicious occasion, the families of the bride and groom have come together to bless their union. Today, they promise to walk together in life, respecting and supporting each other. Let us all bless them with love and best wishes."
Mangalashtak are sacred Vedic hymns recited during the wedding ceremony. These verses invoke divine blessings and signify the sacred bond between the couple.
"Indrani Lakshmi, Vasudha Dharitri |
The bride and groom are united in a sacred bond ||
Priests chant these auspicious verses |
May they be blessed with love and harmony ||"
During this time, the family showers Akshata (holy rice grains) on the couple, blessing them with prosperity and a long life together.
Saptapadi (Seven Steps) is the most important part of the Marathi wedding, where the couple takes seven steps together, each representing a vow for a successful married life.
Commitment to Dharma (Righteousness) - "We promise to uphold moral values and responsibilities together."
Pursuit of Prosperity - "We will work hard to achieve wealth and success for our family."
Love and Trust - "We vow to love and respect each other with trust and honesty."
Family and Relationships - "We promise to nurture and respect our families and relatives."
Raising Children Together - "We will ensure the well-being and proper upbringing of our children."
Health and Well-being - "We will take care of each other's physical and mental health."
Lifelong Togetherness - "We will stand by each other in all situations, for life."
Each vow strengthens the foundation of their marriage and symbolizes the responsibilities they take together.
Satyanarayan Pooja is a special ritual performed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for happiness, prosperity, and peace in the couple's life. It is usually conducted after the wedding to mark the beginning of their new life together.
"Om Satyanarayanaya Namah"
"O Lord Satyanarayan, bless this couple with wisdom, health, and happiness. May their married life be filled with peace, prosperity, and devotion."
This pooja is considered a way to invite divine grace into their married life and ensure harmony and success in their journey ahead.
A Marathi wedding is not just a union of two individuals but a sacred bond between two families. The rituals mentioned above symbolize love, respect, commitment, and blessings for a happy and fulfilling life together.