Mayra Ceremony, a ritual most commonly found in Marwari weddings in India, is all about celebrating the bond between the maternal uncle and the bride or groom. A significant pre-wedding ritual that occurs in both the to-be-wed households, this ceremony is one where the maternal uncle comes bearing gifts to the bride or groom and their families
Unveiling the Meaning of mayra ceremony
Like most customs in Indian weddings, even the mayra ceremony holds a profound social and cultural significance. Historically, women were left out of wills and did not own any property or assets, and the meaning of the mayra ceremony was to ensure that the daughter of the household received some financial support from her brother when her child/children got married. He would come bearing gifts or even money for his niece or nephew. This ceremony also celebrated the bond between family where everyone would come together to get the bride or groom of the house married.
Mayra in Marwadi and Rajasthani Wedding
The mayra ceremony is largely celebrated in Marwari cultures, more often at Rajasthani weddings. This pre-wedding ritual takes place one or two days before the main wedding where the maternal uncle gifts the bride/groom and their family with gifts, sweets, and clothes that the family will wear on the wedding day. Originating years ago and evolved with time, this ritual reflects the value of family and kinship and the continuity of tradition across generations.
Rituals and Traditions of the Mayra Ceremony
The mayra ceremony is quite a grand celebration. It is a common practice to have a separate invitation for this event with all family members and near and dear ones invited. This practice stems from the showcase of the family’s wealth and status that was seen many years ago. Since this event marks the beginning of the wedding festivities, it is planned with much pomp and show. The mayra ceremony’s décor, the venue, the food, and everything around it are planned to perfection by the family hosting it (the bride or the groom’s family).
The main event begins with the arrival of relatives and guests. The guest of honor for the event, the maternal uncle, then arrives with his family. They are greeted with respect and gratitude by the hosting family and welcomed warmly.
The traditional rituals of the mayra ceremony begin with seeking the blessings of God with a prayer, followed by a few traditional customs. After prayers are offered, then the elders of the family bless the to-be-wed and their family. Post this is when the main part of the ceremony takes place – gifts presentation by the maternal uncle. The initial gifts presented are for the bride/groom’s family members – the parents and siblings, if any.
They are presented mainly with wedding attire for the main ceremony, along with jewelry, money, and other valuable items. The bride or the groom then takes the center focus and is showered with gifts to accompany them in their new life. This moment is truly a celebration of bonding as the family accepts with gratitude and affection for the gifts. The guests join the festivities in blessing the family and the feast of the ceremony is enjoyed by all.
Custom and Gifting Practices
There is a variation of gifts seen in a mayra ceremony which has also evolved with time. Since this ritual began as a custom to provide financial support, cash is still one of the biggest and most commonly found gifts. Along with cash, the bride is often gifted jewelry, household items, and other valuable gifts that she would use in her married life. Apart from new gifts, the bride or groom may also receive family heirlooms from their maternal uncle. Sweets, dry fruits, and wedding attires also find themselves on the gifting list during the mayra ceremony.
Since weddings are community affairs more than personal events in India, the showcase of gifts given by the maternal uncle is a part of the mayra ceremony. This ceremony serves as a social approval of the wealth and status of the family with the implicit display of the family’s generosity.
Attire for Mayra Ceremony
Similar to other pre-wedding festivities, the attire for the mayra ceremony is also grand. The bride typically wears a lehenga, often a bright color to reflect the festive spirit of the occasion. She is adorned with traditional jewellery including necklaces, earrings, bangles, anklets, nose rings, and a headpiece. The final touch of the attire is generally a veil or odni worn over the head by Marwari women as a sign of respect. Since this event occurs after the mehendi ceremony, the bride also has mehendi on her hands and feet, adding to her look.
The mayra ceremony in the groom’s house is also celebrated with equal fervour. He is dressed in a traditional sherwani with a headdress or pagdi. Brooches or necklaces serve as jewelry pieces for the groom, along with an intricately designed jhutti or mojari to complete the attire.
Evolution of Mayra Ceremony in modern Times
Retaining the core values of familial bond, and celebration of love, the mayra ceremony has changed to align with contemporary times. Historically viewed as a burden on the maternal uncle, this ceremony is now performed more out of willingness than an obligation. There has been a significant increase in participation from other relatives and guests who offer gifts and pitch in during the mayra ceremony, reducing the onus on the maternal uncle. With more social and cultural understanding, the brides/grooms now ask their maternal uncle for specific gifts instead of an array of generic gifts. Despite these changes, the mayra ceremony is still an event that is rooted in tradition and one that stands as a testament to the cultural heritage of grand Indian weddings.
