Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Antarpat?
Also written: अंतरपाट
Antarpat is the silk cloth held between the bride and groom in a Marathi wedding while the mangalashtak verses are sung, lowered at the exact muhurat so they see each other.
- Who keeps it
- Marathi families.
- When
- At the muhurat on the wedding day, after the bride's entry and before the kanyadaan and saptapadi.
About Antarpat
What should you know about Antarpat?
Two people hold the cloth, often marked with a swastik, between the couple. As the last verse ends with "shubh mangal saavdhan", the antarpat is lowered, the couple garland each other, and guests shower them with akshata, rice mixed with kumkum.
For many guests this is the moment the wedding happens. Families usually hand out small packets of akshata to guests as they are seated, so everyone can shower the couple at the right moment.
In the order of functions
Where does Antarpat come in an Indian wedding?
At the muhurat on the wedding day, after the bride's entry and before the kanyadaan and saptapadi.
- Before the weddingFixing the match, the engagement, the date and the card.
- The functionsPujas, haldi, mehndi, sangeet and the family days before the wedding.
- Wedding day ritualsFrom the baraat to the pheras, nikah and anand karaj.
- After the weddingVidaai, the new home, the reception and the first visits.
Planning your own days? The free wedding function order planner puts your functions in a sensible order with dates.
On the card
What do families write on the invitation for Antarpat?
शुभ मुहूर्त: दुपारी १२:३५. आपण अगत्य येण्याचे करावे.
Related words
Words that go with Antarpat
- Mangalashtak
Mangalashtak are the eight auspicious verses sung by the priest and relatives in a Marathi wedding just before the muhurat, while the antarpat is held between the couple.
- Saptapadi
Saptapadi means seven steps: the bride and groom take seven steps together near the sacred fire, each step with a promise, and in many traditions this is the rite that completes the marriage.
- Kanyadaan
Kanyadaan is the ritual where the bride's parents place her hand in the groom's hand, asking him to care for her as an equal partner, while the priest chants mantras.
- Sakharpuda
Sakharpuda is the Maharashtrian engagement ceremony, named after the packet of sugar (sakhar puda) that the groom's family gives the bride along with a saree and jewellery.
- Ukhana
An ukhana is a short rhyme in which a Marathi bride or groom says their spouse's name, a custom asked for at the griha pravesh and at many family gatherings after the wedding.
Questions
Antarpat, answered
What is Antarpat?
Antarpat is the silk cloth held between the bride and groom in a Marathi wedding while the mangalashtak verses are sung, lowered at the exact muhurat so they see each other.
Which families celebrate Antarpat?
Marathi families.
When does Antarpat happen in the order of wedding functions?
At the muhurat on the wedding day, after the bride's entry and before the kanyadaan and saptapadi.
What do families write on the invitation for Antarpat?
शुभ मुहूर्त: दुपारी १२:३५. आपण अगत्य येण्याचे करावे.
Put Antarpat on your invitation with its date, time and venue, and send it on WhatsApp. Two invitation designs are free forever.
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