You don’t know Misal Pav? It's like you are disregarding the King of snacks. Yes, you must know that Misal Pav is the king of the street foods of Maharashtra. On top of that, everybody in Maharashtra loves this snack. Misal Pav, Vada Pav are one of the most desired delicacies for all Maharastrians. To put it into context, what Ramen is for Japanese; Misal is for Maharastrians. This dish has a lot of importance, not only are they famous on streets but also in the ceremonies and festivals. In every Marathi wedding, for starters, you will get a few most delicious and famous Marathi staples, like Misal Pav, Vada Pav, Aluvadi, Chiwda etc. As we all know how exhilarating, yet tiring the process of wedding can be for a couple and their families. To make this whole process more easy and effortless, Marathi Matrimony reduces the pressure and gives you an easier access to your choice of a perfect life partner.
The fun fact is you can take a Marathi out of Maharashtra but you cannot take out the Maharashtra and Misal Pav Pav from any Marathi. Even if you are a marathi you will become an absolute fab of their staples. Maharashtra is a beautiful state with lots of colors, huge buildings, festivals, celebrations, foods, attires and attractions. In this article we will know a few famous things that every Marathi folks keep close to their hearts. Read the full article to know it better.
1. Foods
Food is the most important element for our body and being an Indian means a lot of diverse food all around. In India, we find Momos in South also and Idli Dosa in North also. Likewise, the Marathi delicacies are found around the country. But, the original is the best. If you are visiting Mumbai or any place of Maharashtra any time soon, you must know the following dishes that every marathi keeps close to their heart.
- Misal Pav: The King of streets and love of every hungry person. It is a popular snack of Maharashtra. Pav means bread which is eaten with the curry of little tangy cereals.
- Pav Bhaji: Whole Maharashtra is incomplete without this food. This food comes with a pav and a thick gravy of potatoes. Served with butter on top.
- Vada Pav: In short, this is the Indian version of burger. A potato patty is inserted between the breads and served.
- Puran Poli: This delicious food is the sweet version of paratha. They are made of jaggery, chana dal and flour. They are served with ghee on top.
- Poha: this is the most staple food any marathi can have. This is the popular breakfast menu in every Marathi household which is now adapted by various other states too. This is absolutely healthy.
2. Attire
Our identity is incomplete without our attires. From Jammu Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there is a list of attires. In Maharashtra people wear very colorful attires, their traditional ones. Let’s see the famous attire of Maharashtra.
- Attires for men
Dhoti- In Maharashtra, men commonly wear a dhoti. A dhoti is a single piece of cloth that is tucked around one's waist and extends all the way down to the ankle.
Kurtas- Above their dhoti, Maharashtrian men wear cotton shirts or Kurtas. Since Maharashtra has a warm to hot climate, the tops are made of cotton to allow the garment to absorb sweat.
Waistcoat/Bandi- Bandi is a waistcoat worn by Maharashtrian men on occasion. A sleeveless jacket or coat is known as a bandi. They are worn over the tops of their shirts. Maharashtrian dress became more formal and dignified because of Bandi.
- Attires for Women
Saree- 9-yard sarees are popular among women. Tucking the saree in the center gives it a dhoti-like appearance. The women's upper bodies are wrapped in the remaining saree. Lugade is the common name for this saree.
3. Festivals
In India, we celebrate numerous festivals all over the year. We have various cultures and all of those cultures celebrate every festival together happily. In Maharashtra also, a myriad of cultures stay together. Here is the list of festivals important to every marathi.
- Ganesh Chathurthi: This isn’t just a festival but an emotion to every Maharastrians. Every year for 10 days, Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi, is an auspicious Hindu festival. The festival takes place in the Bhadra month, which falls between mid-August and mid-September on the Hindu calendar. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, celebrates his birthday today.
- Gudhi Parwa: Gudhi Padwa marks the start of a fortunate new year, and Hindus regard it as one of the most auspicious days of the year. It is the first day of the Lunar calendar, signaling the start of a new year.
- Naag Panchami: Nag Panchali, an important Maharashtra festival, is held on the fifth day of the holy month of Shravan in honor of the Snake God Sheshnag.
4. Rituals
Rituals mean weddings. Rituals and customs are mostly followed during the weddings. In Maharashtra weddings are very colorful and happening. If you want to make your dream wedding happen with a Maharashtrian groom/bride, download the Marathi Matrimony app today. Here are a few major and unique rituals by every Marathi.
- Sukhar Puda: It is an engagement ceremony where both the parents of the bride and groom exchange gifts and sweets after the ceremony.
- Seemant Puja and Gaurihar Puja: These two puja are done before the entry of the bride and the groom to the mandap.
- Antarpat ritual: A silk shawl is stretched between the bride and groom during this Maharashtrian wedding custom, while a priest chants mantras. This is done because they are not allowed to look at each other until the priest has completed his chanting.
- Sankalp: The covering is withdrawn once the priest has completed repeating his mantras, and the couple looks at each other. Guests shower Akshata (unbroken rice grains) on the couple, and the two exchange garlands.
5. Family bonding, Relationships and culture
In every Indian family we always see a magical bonding between the families. All the parents have a unique connection with their children which never breaks even if they are married. Also, in every marathi household you will see a loads of culture and customs followed by the people. However, they are also open to accepting people of other cultures to be added to their family.
The Marathi people, like most other Hindu cultures, have a devghar (home shrine) with idols, symbols, and portraits of many deities for daily worship. Pothi, or the ritual reading of religious texts, is also popular in some communities.
Food is initially offered as naivedya to the family's selected deity in the household shrine before being consumed by family members and guests in some traditional families. Before this religious offering, no food or snacks are consumed. In modern times, families only offer the naivedya on days of exceptional religious significance.
6. Famous attraction
About attraction, there are many in Maharashtra. Along with the culture and ethnicity they have a lot of tourist attractions. Every Maharashtrian is proud of their culture and heritage. Maharashtra has some of the most quirky forts, older-than-time caves, and famous gates that are reminiscent of a bygone age when it comes to top tourist attractions. The ancient Ajanta and Ellora Caves, as well as the ever-beautiful Gateway of India in Mumbai, are among the most famous tourist destinations in Maharashtra.
If you're considering a trip to Maharashtra this year, don't miss out on these centuries-old sites like Shaniwar Wada, Raigad Fort, Mapo Garden, Mahabaleshwar etc.
7. Dance and music
Dance and music are the heart of every state. There are various dances and music from all over the county. Each of them tells about a state. Unlike Bihu in Assam, Maharashtra has Lavani and other folk dances. They dance it very gracefully with lots of costumes cladded while dancing. Other folk dances of Maharashtra include, Dhangari Gaja, Koli dance, Povadas dance and Tamasha.
The most popular folk songs in Maharashtra are Lavani and Povada, which entertain the villagers. A traditional song called Bhaleri is sung to encourage farmers in the field. Other types of entertainment involving folk music in Maharashtra include Gondhal, Lalita, Lavani, Povadas, and Tamasha.
8. Jewelry
There is a list of jewelries that every Marathi likes to wear. They are:
- Mundavalya: This is one important ornament required during a marriage ceremony. This is a compulsory accessory adorned on the head for a sacred purpose and to show that both the bride and groom are ready for the marriage proceedings.
- Nath: The different style of their nath makes them unique from the rest of the country. Nath is a very important ornament for marathi women. That nath is actually an identity of you being a marathi.
- Thusi: It is a neck piece which is quite traditional. It is made of thick gold beads held with a string. These are worn by every marathi woman.
- Bindi: Marathi women put on a unique bindi which at first you might have seen in the forehead of Rani Laxmi Bai. It is in the shape of a half moon.
9. Handcrafts
The most popular handicrafts Maharashtra can have is - Kolhapuri leather work. They are very unique and beautiful. It is very popular in every Marathi household. Everyone has at least one Kolhapuri chappal in their home. Without the Kolhapuri chappal the Marathi household is incomplete. Another famous handicraft is the Warli painting. The designs are drawn in the walls by white paints. Other handicrafts are wooden toys, Ganjifa cards, Silverware, Bidriware, Dhurrie weaving etc.
10. Language
Language is a thing through which we understand the belonging of a person. Any language is the most important thing for communication. In Maharashtra, Marathi is the popular language spoken by the majority of the population. Other dialects used in the state are Vadhadi, Zadi Boli, Ahirani etc.
