Maharashtrian wedding checklist

The engagement: the families exchange packets of sugar or pedhas, honour the couple with haldi-kumkum, and rings are exchanged.

Why it's done. Sakhar means sugar and puda means packet: the engagement is sealed with sweets, wishing the couple a sweet life ahead. The groom's family gives the bride a saree, marking their acceptance of her into the family, and rings are exchanged.

• Fix the Sakharpuda date with the guruji

  Often hosted by the bride's side, but agree which family hosts and where — hall or home.

  6 weeks beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Order engagement rings

  Allow 3–6 weeks for sizing and engraving.

  5 weeks beforeBoth familiesClothes & jewellery
• Book the guruji for the Sakharpuda puja

  Ask him for the samagri list at the same time.

  4 weeks beforeBoth families₹5k–20k (platform rates)Booking
• Plan a Maharashtrian lunch

  Masale bhaat, jilebi and puran poli are popular choices.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood
• Arrange a saree for the bride (groom's family) optional

  Traditionally the groom's mother honours the bride with a saree, and the bride's side honours the groom with an outfit. Keep it reciprocal.

  3 weeks beforeGroom's familyGifts
• Arrange an outfit for the groom (bride's family) optional

  The reciprocal half of the exchange. Ask his size quietly in advance.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyGifts
• Help the couple prepare their ukhane

  Ukhane are short rhymes in which the bride and groom say each other's names. Relatives will ask for them at every event — practise a few!

  2 weeks beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Order decorated sakhar or pedha packets

  The sugar or pedha packet is the heart of the ritual. Order a few extra for elders who arrive late.

  10 days beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Keep haldi-kumkum and an oti tray ready

  Married women are offered haldi-kumkum; keep enough small packets.

  3 days beforeBoth familiesRitual

Five suvasinis (married women) pound turmeric and start the wedding papads; the family then feeds them a festive meal and honours them with haldi-kunku.

Why it's done. Muhurt karane formally begins the wedding preparations. Five suvasinis, married women of the family and neighbourhood, pound turmeric for the haldi and make the first papad and sandage. The family then serves them a festive meal, the savashna jevan, and honours them with haldi-kunku and small gifts. A suvasini is seen as a form of the goddess, so her blessing is believed to bring the couple a long, happy married life. Families differ: some keep only the meal, and some hold a savashna jevan after the wedding too.

• Ask elders for an auspicious day for Muhurt karane

  It is usually one to two weeks before the wedding. Some families ask the guruji to pick the day.

  4 weeks beforeEach familyRitual
• Invite five suvasinis

  Married women from the family or neighbourhood, often aunts and cousins' wives. Ask elders whom your family invites; some invite more than five.

  2 weeks beforeEach familyGuests
• Plan the savashna jevan menu

  A traditional home meal such as puranpoli, varan-bhaat, bhaji, koshimbir and papad. Check whether any guest is fasting that day.

  10 days beforeEach familyFood
• Buy gifts for the suvasinis

  Commonly a blouse piece or sari, green bangles, and dakshina in an envelope. Ask elders what your family usually gives.

  7 days beforeEach familyGifts
• Keep haldi-kunku, turmeric, flowers and a puja thali ready

  Whole turmeric to pound, a khalbatta (mortar), papad dough, and a thali with haldi-kunku, flowers and a diya.

  2 days beforeEach familyRitual

The family worships the kuldevta and shares a festive meal; often hosted by relatives a few days before the wedding.

Why it's done. A few days before the wedding, each family prays to its kuldevta (family deity) for blessings and a prosperous married life, then shares a festive meal. Families do this differently: for some the puja is the heart of it, for others the feast with relatives.

• Decide which relative will host the Kelvan

  Relatives often host Kelvan for the bride. There may be more than one — note each date.

  4 weeks beforeEach familyGuests
• Invite close relatives

  Usually a small family gathering.

  2 weeks beforeEach familyGuests
• Plan the Kelvan meal menu

  A home-style festive meal; agree with the host who cooks or caters.

  10 days beforeEach familyFood
• Arrange the kuldevta puja items

  Check with elders which items your family's kuldevta puja needs.

  5 days beforeEach familyRitual

Henna for the bride and the women of the family; many Maharashtrian families now hold a small mehendi.

Why it's done. Mehendi is a much-loved pre-wedding custom across India, when the women of the family gather to sing and adorn the bride with henna. Many Maharashtrian families keep it small and simple; it is a relaxed moment of togetherness before the wedding.

• Do a henna patch test

  Rule out allergy before the day.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyBeauty
• Pick an outfit that needs no change while henna dries

  An easy saree or sharara is best; the bride cannot use her hands for hours.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Share design ideas with the mehendi artist

  Send reference photos ahead and decide whether to hide the groom's initials.

  2 weeks beforeBride's familyBeauty
• Arrange seating, music and snacks

  Guests sit for a long time — keep cushions and easy finger food.

  5 days beforeBride's familyDecor

Married women (suhasini) apply turmeric to the groom with mango leaves; the leftover paste is then sent to the bride.

Why it's done. Turmeric before a wedding is a custom shared across India, traditionally believed to bless and protect and to give a glow before the big day. In many Maharashtrian homes the haldi touches the groom first and what remains is sent to the bride, so both homes take part in the same ritual.

• Book dhol-tasha for the halad optional

  Optional. Good dhol-tasha pathaks book out early in wedding season.

  6 weeks beforeGroom's family₹5k–12k single dholMusic
• Choose a yellow outfit you do not mind staining

  Keep towels and a change of clothes ready for the bath.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Make a list of suhasinis to apply halad

  Tell the married women in advance that they have a role, and the time.

  2 weeks beforeEach familyGuests
• Arrange to send leftover halad to the bride's home

  Families often forget this step. Assign one person and a vehicle, and agree the timing with the bride's side so her halad is not delayed.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyLogistics
• Confirm when the groom's halad will arrive

  The bride's halad uses paste from the groom's ceremony, so her timing depends on his. Keep a phone contact on the groom's side.

  3 days beforeBride's familyLogistics
• Buy turmeric and mango leaves

  Buy mango leaves fresh, the day before.

  2 days beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Keep old clothes, towels and a fresh change ready

  Turmeric stains. Plan bathroom access right after.

  2 days beforeGroom's familyClothes & jewellery
• Buy mango leaves and extra turmeric

  Keep some turmeric in case the paste arrives late or short.

  2 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Protect furniture and floors from stains

  Use old sheets or plastic and a low stool for the bride.

  2 days beforeBride's familyDecor

The bride's mother welcomes the groom and his party (varhadi) at the venue entrance, washes his feet and does aarti.

Why it's done. Simant means boundary. The rite once marked the groom's party crossing the boundary of the bride's village; today it is the formal welcome, as the bride's mother washes the groom's feet, does aarti and applies a tilak.

• Book a dhol-tasha pathak or band for the arrival

  Book early on peak dates and agree the arrival time in writing.

  3 months beforeBride's family₹5k–12k single dhol; pathak quotes varyMusic
• Plan welcome drinks and seating for the varhadi

  The groom's party often arrives early for a morning muhurat — have tea and breakfast ready.

  2 weeks beforeBride's familyFood
• Prepare the aarti thali and milk-water for washing feet

  Keep a plate, a small towel, kumkum and a diya with matches ready at the entrance.

  1 day beforeBride's familyRitual
• Keep the groom's mundavalya and pheta ready

  The groom wears a mundavalya (string of pearls tied across the forehead) and a pheta. Pack a spare mundavalya.

  1 day beforeGroom's familyClothes & jewellery

Before the ceremony the bride, dressed for the wedding, worships Gauri-Har (Parvati) while her maternal uncle hands her rice to offer.

Why it's done. Dressed for the wedding, often in a yellow saree from her maternal uncle, the bride prays to Gauri (Parvati) for a happy married life. Parvati is honoured as the ideal of a devoted, lasting marriage, and the bride offers rice to her while the ceremony is prepared.

• Buy green glass bangles (hirva chuda)

  Size them with the bride present. In some families the mama brings them.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Buy or borrow a Gauri-Har idol

  The groom later carries this idol during the Varat, so keep it safe after the puja.

  2 weeks beforeBride's familyRitual
• Brief the mama (maternal uncle) on his part

  He hands the bride rice to offer. Make sure he arrives early on the wedding morning.

  7 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Keep the yellow saree or nauvari for the puja ready

  Many brides wear a yellow saree here. Check whether you have time to change before the ceremony.

  2 days beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery

Antarpat and Mangalashtak, Kanyadaan, Lajahoma, the mangalsutra and Saptapadi — usually at a morning muhurat, with every guest showering akshata.

Why it's done. A silk cloth (antarpat) separates the couple while relatives and the priest sing the mangalashtak, auspicious verses of blessing. When the cloth is removed the couple see each other and exchange garlands, and everyone showers them with akshata (whole rice). Families differ on exactly when the antarpat comes down. In lajahoma puffed rice is offered into the fire for prosperity, and the seven steps of saptapadi complete the marriage.

• Order the bride's nauvari or Paithani

  A handwoven Paithani can take months. Decide early between a nine-yard nauvari and a six-yard Paithani.

  4 months beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Book a nauvari draper

  Allow 45–60 minutes for draping, or choose a pre-stitched nauvari. Often forgotten — check if your makeup artist can do it.

  2 months beforeBride's familyBeauty
• Buy the groom's dhoti, kurta, stole and pheta

  Off-white or cream kurta and dhoti with a red or gold stole. Have the pheta tied once before the day.

  2 months beforeGroom's familyClothes & jewellery
• Plan breakfast and lunch for a morning wedding

  Morning muhurats mean the caterer serves breakfast and lunch, not dinner. Confirm timings in the contract.

  2 months beforeBride's familyFood
• Order mundavalya for both bride and groom

  Both wear one. Families commonly remember only the bride's.

  4 weeks beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Arrange the antarpat cloth and Mangalashtak singers

  Relatives often sing the Mangalashtak verses — print copies and decide who sings.

  2 weeks beforeBride's familyRitual
• Pack akshata packets for every guest

  Every guest showers akshata (coloured rice) during Mangalashtak. Count guests and make extra — this is often missed.

  3 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Buy lahya (puffed rice), havan items and supari

  Lahya is offered into the fire at Lajahoma. Keep seven supari or rice mounds for Saptapadi.

  3 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Keep the mangalsutra and sindoor with one trusted person

  Hand all ritual items to one person who stays near the mandap.

  1 day beforeBride's familyRitual
• Prepare dakshina envelopes for the guruji

  Keep separate labelled envelopes for each priest and assistant.

  1 day beforeBride's familyMoney

Karmasamapti: a Laxmi puja ends the ceremony; the groom may give the bride a new name, and her brother playfully twists the groom's ear.

Why it's done. At the close of the ceremony (karmasamapti) the couple worship Laxmi, goddess of prosperity, together. Some families keep the custom of the groom giving the bride a new name; families do this differently and it is the couple's choice. The bride's brother twisting the groom's ear is a playful reminder of his duties as a husband.

• Decide whether the couple will do the renaming

  Many modern couples skip the renaming. Talk about it openly and early.

  4 weeks beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Arrange Laxmi puja items

  Ask the guruji for the short list.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Tell the bride's brother about the ear-twisting custom

  A playful moment where he reminds the groom to look after his sister. Good to have the photographer ready.

  3 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Keep a plate of rice for writing the new name

  Only needed if you are doing the renaming.

  1 day beforeGroom's familyRitual

The farewell procession as the bride leaves for her new home, with the groom carrying the Gauri-Har idol.

Why it's done. Varat is the bride's farewell from her parents' home as she leaves for her new one, marking the start of a new journey with her husband and his family. The groom carries the Gauri-Har (Parvati) idol from the bride's puja, and relatives follow in a procession.

• Decorate the car for the Varat

  Book fresh flowers for the morning and have a driver who knows the route.

  7 days beforeBoth familiesDecor
• Plan a short send-off with the bride's family

  Keep water, tissues and a few minutes free in the schedule; emotional farewells always run longer than planned.

  7 days beforeBride's familyLogistics
• Pack the bride's bag for the first days

  Clothes, medicines, chargers and toiletries she will need right away.

  2 days beforeBride's familyLogistics
• Make sure the Gauri-Har idol travels with the groom

  Assign one person to hand it to him at departure.

  On the dayGroom's familyRitual

The groom's mother does aarti, washes the couple's feet with milk and water, and the bride tips over a kalash of rice and steps in right foot first.

Why it's done. The bride enters her new home right foot first and gently tips over a vessel filled with rice. She is seen as Laxmi, and the spilling rice stands for abundance entering the house with her. Families differ on the vessel, from a kalash to a metal measure, sometimes with coins.

• Plan a light meal and rest for the couple

  After a morning wedding the couple are usually exhausted and may have skipped lunch.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyFood
• Prepare the aarti thali and a rice-filled kalash

  Keep the kalash at the threshold before the couple arrive.

  2 days beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Keep a plate of milk and water and a towel

  For washing the couple's feet at the entrance.

  1 day beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Make a kumkum footprint plate and rangoli

  Draw the rangoli the morning of and keep the kumkum plate inside the doorway.

  1 day beforeGroom's familyDecor

• Book the guruji for all wedding rituals

  Agree which rituals he performs on each side and collect his samagri list two weeks before.

  4 months beforeBoth families₹5k–20k (platform rates)Booking
• Confirm the muhurat time and share it with all vendors

  Maharashtrian weddings are often early morning. Makeup, draping and the groom's arrival all need to be planned back from the muhurat.

  3 months beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Plan jewellery: thushi, vaki and chandrakor bindi

  Traditional bridal jewellery includes the thushi necklace, vaki armlets and a crescent-moon (chandrakor) bindi.

  3 months beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Collect samagri lists for each puja

  Kelvan, Halad, Gurihar and the wedding each need their own items. Buy for both sides.

  2 weeks beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Share the ritual order with the photographer

  Key moments like the antarpat dropping and the akshata shower pass in seconds. Give the photographer the Mangalashtak timing.

  2 weeks beforeBoth familiesLogistics