Weddings
are special. And if it’s an Indian wedding, it is bound to be a grand affair.
The colourful set-up is all about Hindu traditions, celebrations that are no
less than carnivals, bold and bright colour dressed guests, bride and the groom
and finally, rituals that get them married. In a multi-cultural country like
India, each part celebrates this holy ritual differently. Based on the culture,
the rituals differ, the dresses differ and so does the set-up of the vivah (Hindi for Indian weddings).
A
Maharashtrian wedding, is a completely traditional one that is simple as well
as vibrant. The traditions of a Maharashtrian wedding is as per the
Maharashtrian community, their religious and family values. Each member in a
Maharashtrian family has a role to play in the entire ceremony. Maharashtrians,
as a traditional ritual adhering community, believe in following the common
ceremonies such as Mehendi, Milni, Jaimala, Saptapadi, Kanyadaan and pheras. In
all these rituals, one of the most significant things is a bride’s saree or the
traditional Maharashtrian wedding sarees.
Typically,
for a Maharashtrian bride, the wedding sarees are of traditional golden orange,
or a yellow marigold coloured saree. The other common coloured wedding sarees
that brides are found to be wearing include gold, green and yellow. These Maharashtrian wedding sarees are of six yards (standard) or a nine yard saree. The colour of
the bride’s saree makes it easier for people to recognise the community.
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| Traditional Six yards cotton saree of Maharashtra |
Paithani
sarees, originating from the city of Paitan, are one of the typical and
traditional types of Maharashtrian wedding sarees. These are made of gold and
are of the silk variety. These kinds of sarees have different patterns, mostly
in the oblique-square designs mainly on the borders. The saree can be found to
be having motifs in the form of peacocks, kaleidoscopes and parrots in the end
of the saree, better known as pallu
of the saree. These kinds of sarees are available either in one colour or two
colours with broad golden borders. These silk sarees are hand weaved and takes
at least a month to complete.
In the
earlier times, Maharashtrian brides were known to wear the Nauvari sarees. The
design of the nauvari sarees is unique It has a trouser-like design as the nine
yard saree is designed to be wrapped around each leg. This would give a trouser
like design instead of the full length skirt design that is usually associated
with a saree. Nauvari sarees are believed to be more comfortable to wear since
these can be worn without a petticoat.
Like any
other Indian brides, a Maharashtrian bride also wears traditional gold
jewelleries. Some of these can be the statement pieces, heirloom jewelleries or
simply, some new designs. Jewelleries like the one choker style necklace made
of gold known as Thushi is an
essential item alongside the jhumkas
(earrings), nath (mango shaped nose
ring) and the bajuband or the armlet.
Many of the brides also wear the green and gold bangles in both the hands and
the half-moon shaped bindi on the
forehead. Most of the bride’s jewelleries are gifted to her by the elders,
especially the parents or the elders in the family who save money to buy gold
for the marriage of the daughter. Since the Maharashtrian wedding sarees have a
traditional feel, the gold jewelleries make real good adornments with them.
Any Indian
Hindu wedding is nothing less than a grand celebration of rituals and
relationships. Usually celebrated for close to three days, the brides get to
wear different types of sarees depending on the occasions and the requirements.
For the Maharashtrian brides, they can choose to wear the different kinds of
traditional Maharashtrian sarees during each occasion and the traditional
Maharashtrian wedding sarees on the big day.
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