Marathi Sakharpuda Ceremony: A Complete Guide to Engagement Rituals and Traditions
The Marathi Sakharpuda is the official engagement ceremony in a traditional Marathi wedding. Here's the 101 behind it - from the ceremony rituals to what you may wear for it.
Marathi weddings are a relay of rituals and one such ceremony that marks the beginning of a relationship between two people is the Marathi Sakharpuda. A traditional engagement ceremony, we explore how it’s different from other traditions and fits into the Maharashtrian wedding universe.
In this article:
1. What Does ‘Sakharpuda’ Mean in Marathi?
2. What is the Sakharpuda Ceremony?
3. Which Rituals Are Performed in Marathi Sakharpuda?
4. When is the Sakharpuda Ceremony Held?
5. How to Make a Marathi Sakharpuda Box?
6. Traditional Maharashtrian Dress for Sakharpuda
Want to learn more about this beautiful tradition in Marathi weddings? Read on to learn more about the little intricacies that make this gorgeous ceremony stand out.
What Does ‘Sakharpuda’ Mean in Marathi?
Sakharpuda is a Marathi word where Sakhar means sugar and Puda means a box or a packet. Another name for Sakharpuda is Wang Nischay which means a verbal agreement. Sakharpuda is basically the Marathi version of engagement. In this ceremony, both the bride’s family and groom’s family get together and give gifts to each other. The importance of Sakharpuda is that it’s one of the initial wedding ceremonies. It signifies that both sides’ parents have agreed to marry their children. Sakharpuda holds a much sweeter and symbolic meaning in the context of a Marathi wedding. This packet contains sugar, symbolic of the sweet beginning of the marriage, along with other auspicious items like turmeric, rice, and sometimes jewellery. It’s a gesture of goodwill and blessings, marking the start of the wedding festivities with sweetness and warmth.
What is the Sakharpuda Ceremony?
The Sakharpuda ceremony is a traditional pre-wedding ritual in Marathi culture. In simple terms, it's the Marathi version of an engagement ceremony that can be held as per the families' consent or a holy mahurat. It is the first formal exchange between the bride and groom’s families before the wedding. In this ceremony, the bride’s family gives the groom a small packet or box containing sugar, along with some gifts, as a sign of affection and respect. This marks the symbolic acceptance of the groom into the bride’s family and is often accompanied by prayers for a happy and prosperous married life. Think of it as the wedding’s first sweet gesture, setting the tone for all the festivities to follow.
Which Rituals Are Performed in Marathi Sakharpuda?
Things you need for the bride: Packet of sugar, clothes and jewellery.
Things you need for the groom: Coconut, a gold/silver coin and clothes.
Ceremony process: The Sakharpuda ceremony is a simple but deeply meaningful affair. It usually starts with the bride and groom sitting in the presence of their families, with the groom’s family receiving the sugar packet or box from the bride’s side. As the exchange happens, the family members bless the couple with prayers and good wishes for their future together. The couple may also receive other traditional gifts, such as clothes or jewellery, and it’s a moment of bonding between the two families. This ceremony is often accompanied by a little informal celebration, perhaps some sweets and light-hearted conversations, making it a joyful, intimate occasion.
The ceremony begins by welcoming the groom's family with aarti and tilak. The bride’s parents gift the bridegroom a coconut, gold or silver coin and clothes. The groom’s parents gift the bride a packet of sugar, clothes and jewellery. Sugar signifies the beginning of a sweet start, coconut is considered auspicious and that's why these gifts are exchanged. After this, there’s a ring ceremony where the couple exchange rings as well. However, exchanging rings isn’t mandatory. Traditionally, wedding invitations are also given to print only after Sakharpuda has taken place. Shira bhaat and kurma puri are served at this ceremony. The puja is followed by a family lunch. A cultural program with traditional Marathi songs or different activities engaging the couple and guests can also be organised after lunch.
When is the Sakharpuda Ceremony Held?
Photography: Framefinder by Sam
Talking about timeline when the ceremony is organised, the Sakharpuda ceremony is typically held a few days before the wedding, sometimes during the Haldi ceremony or Mehendi rituals, but it can also take place in the days leading up to the wedding day itself. The timing varies depending on the family’s traditions, but it's always a significant moment that signals the official start of the wedding celebrations. It’s one of the early events that allows the families to come together, mark their blessings, and begin the joyous journey toward the wedding day.
How to Make a Marathi Sakharpuda Box?
Image Courtesy: Eazy Wizy
Sakharpuda boxes include a cone-like box (like the one seen above) which holds the sugar. It’s beautifully decorated with ribbons. A lot of Maharashtrians arrange sweets, ring boxes and flowers along with the Sakharpuda box. After the puja is over, both sides of the family get together and feed each other sugar to celebrate the formal union of the couple. Creating a Sakharpuda box is a beautiful and simple craft project that requires a little love and attention to detail. The box itself is usually small and elegantly designed to hold the sugar, rice, and any other gifts. For perfect wedding inspiration, here's a creative guide that you can follow to the T:
- Materials: Get a small wooden or decorative box, often available at craft stores or you can DIY from home if you have an artistic flair. If you prefer, you can make a box from sturdy cardboard and cover it with vibrant fabric or decorative paper.
- Decorations: Embellish the box with traditional elements like flowers like marigolds, roses, sequins, or golden ribbons. You could also add symbols of good luck, like elephants or peacocks, or even small mirrors for a touch of Maharashtrian charm, making your Sakharpuda box stands out.
- Inside: Place a small packet of sugar or a handful, some rice, a piece of turmeric, and any small tokens of affection like a silver coin or a piece of jewellery for the bride to be. These items symbolise prosperity, sweetness in life, and good health.
- Finish: The final step is to wrap the box in a beautiful cloth, perhaps a saree or dupatta, and present it as a gift from the bride's family to the groom.
Traditional Maharashtrian Dress for Sakharpuda
Image Courtesy: By Heart Stories
The traditional Maharashtrian dress worn during the Sakharpuda ceremony is elegant, graceful, and often full of vibrant colours. For the bride, it's common to wear a Paithani saree, which is a luxurious silk saree known for its intricate designs and rich colours like gold, green, or maroon. The saree is usually adorned with a Nauvari style, where it’s draped in a unique way. Some of the striking elements for a bride during the Sakharpuda ceremony is listed below.
Bridal Accessories: The brides usually wear beautiful glass green bangles for Marathi Sakharpuda. They also pick up matching jewellery with the bangles which include a Maang tikka, a Marathi Nath and a pair of gold earrings with a necklace.
What to wear: Most brides-to-be wear a saree on their Sakharpuda ceremony. While some choose to wear the saree the regular way, some brides wear it in the typical, traditional Marathi style. The sarees, usually Paithani, are mostly made out of silk fabric, with bright, shiny and thick golden borders.
Makeup: There are no set Marathi makeup rules that brides have to follow for Sakharpuda ceremony. Priya Kalve, a Marathi bride who got married two years back told us, “Brides usually choose to go for light makeup, but nowadays Sakharpuda is celebrated at a big level, so they do go to makeup artists to get their basic makeup done, nothing too heavy and nothing too light.”
Hairstyle: Like makeup, there are no specifications Marathi brides need to follow for their hairstyle. “During my Sakharpuda ceremony, I kept my hair open. Though traditionally brides do tie up their hair in a bun. Since there are no compulsions, you can play around with your hair whichever way you like, because you won’t be able to experiment too much with your hair on your wedding day,” Priya said.
Now, the grooms can't stay behind and have to pick a style making them look traditional yet stylish. He typically wears a sherwani or dhoti kurta, often in light shades or pastel tones, paired with traditional Maharashtrian footwear like mojris. The groom might also wear a pheta, a traditional headgear made of fabric, which adds a regal touch to the outfit.
Marathi Sakharpuda Songs
We all need songs for wedding functions and guess what? Just like Marathi wedding songs, there are dedicated songs to Sakharpuda ceremony. Here are the four most popular ones:
1. Sakharpuda Aamchya Taicha
2. Zala Sakharpuda
3. Pori Tujha Tharlay Sakharpuda
We hope you now know everything about Sakharpuda Marathi engagement. To know what else follows after this ceremony, read about Marathi wedding traditions.
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