Indian wedding glossary · Before the wedding
What is Kelvan?
Also written: केळवण
Kelvan is the custom in many Maharashtrian families where relatives and family friends invite the bride or groom and their family for a festive meal in the weeks before the wedding.
- Who keeps it
- Marathi families in Maharashtra and the diaspora.
- When
- In the weeks between the sakharpuda and the wedding.
About Kelvan
What should you know about Kelvan?
Each host family cooks a full traditional meal, often with puran poli and other favourites of the bride or groom, and gives small gifts. A popular bride or groom can have several kelvans in a month.
It is a way for the wider family to bless the couple and spend time with them before the wedding. Some families also hold a puja for the family deity around the same time.
In the order of functions
Where does Kelvan come in an Indian wedding?
In the weeks between the sakharpuda and the wedding.
- 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 Kelvan?
Kelvan for Riya, at the Deshpandes', Sunday lunch, 25 January, 1 pm.
Related words
Words that go with Kelvan
- 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.
- Haldi
Haldi is the ceremony where relatives apply a paste of turmeric, gram flour and oil or rose water to the bride and groom, each at their own home, to bless them and make them glow.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Kelvan, answered
What is Kelvan?
Kelvan is the custom in many Maharashtrian families where relatives and family friends invite the bride or groom and their family for a festive meal in the weeks before the wedding.
Which families celebrate Kelvan?
Marathi families in Maharashtra and the diaspora.
When does Kelvan happen in the order of wedding functions?
In the weeks between the sakharpuda and the wedding.
What do families write on the invitation for Kelvan?
Kelvan for Riya, at the Deshpandes', Sunday lunch, 25 January, 1 pm.
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