Haldi & Kelvan

Haldi: This is yet another custom special to Maharashtrians. The bridegroom and the bride have their own celebrations in their respective homes. This ritual starts with anointing the boy with turmeric powder mixed with scented oil by his mother, sisters, and other women. This is a lively ceremony where the boy is given a ritual bath to the accompaniment of haladi song and music. The residual turmeric and oil mixture called ushti halad, along with a sari and the usual articles of worship, is carried to the girl's place. The ceremony of anointing with turmeric and giving a bath is repeated on the girl, and on her oti (lap) are ceremonially placed five handfuls of rice and a betel nut. With the performance of this ceremony, the boy and girl are declared bridegroom and bride.   Ladies sing & dance. The young person to be married then has a ceremonial bath and is not allowed to go out of the home after this ceremony. Haldi is considered a purifier and is an antiseptic substance. 

Kelvan: The bride's last meal as a maiden in her parental home. The bride is seated at a table which has been decorated with 'rangoli', patterns made from colored powder and lentils, in the midst of which is a silver 'thaali' (platter) specially laid out for her. Her mother probably makes her favorite dishes on this day. The families of the bride and the groom are ceremonially invited by various friends and relatives to have a meal at a get-together known as `Kelvan'.