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Marwadi people are well known for their royal sense for everything.
Some simple prewedding marwadi rituals are performed before the marriage and they have never been taken lightly.
Tilak
The male members of the bride`s family choose a day to arrive at the groom’s place where the tilak ceremony is performed. Ladies from the bride`s side are forbidden to attend this ceremony. While the groom’s house stands out in typical tilak décor, the brother of the bride applies tilak on the groom’s forehead.
This states the fixation of the marriage between the two families.
A sword, fruits, sweets, clothes and other presents are given the groom.
Ganpat sthapan
All other ceremonies in the house take place only after Ganpathi sthapan. It is considered mandatory by either of the houses to perform a Griha shanti or house peace prayer by installation of idol of lord Ganesha in their house.
Pithi Dastoor
One of the most elaborative pre wedding marwadi rituals is Pithi Dastoor.
The bride wears an orange dress (poshak) and is made to sit under a silk canopy which is held by swords by four women from each side. Paste of sandalwood and turmeric is applied to the bride to provide glow and fair complexion to her.
Professional Dholans sing traditional songs for this ceremony.
Mehfils
These are musical nights where women dance and sing with full enthusiasm. Men are not allowed in women’s Mehfils (gatherings) and women are not allowed in male gatherings.
Mahira Dastoor
Since the wedding expenditure may seem like a big burden to both the groom’s and the bride`s parents, therefore the maternal uncles help financially in the wedding.
Janev ceremony
It is a queer ritual in which the groom behaves like an ascetic by wearing saffron robes and sits for a ceremony. After the Vedic recital is over, a thread is given to wear which the groom acts as if refusing to wear or accept. His maternal uncles then act to convince him to get married and drop out the idea of becoming an ascetic.
Palla Dastoor
The bride needs to perform Gauri pujan as per pre wedding marwadi rituals. Goddess Gauri is considered to be the ultimate source of power for creating, destroying and preserving. She represents fertility and motherhood.
The bride seeks for her blessings for starting her new married life.
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