Marathi Wedding Invitation: Lagna Patrika Wording and Functions

A Marathi lagna patrika follows an order that elders recognise at a glance: Ganesh first, then the invitation from the hosts, the couple with their parents, the muhurta, the functions, and finally the family names under "snehankit". Keep that order and the card will feel right to everyone, even if the design is modern.

The order of a Marathi lagna patrika

1. The invocation. Most cards open with "॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥". Families with a kuldaivat often add it below, for example "॥ श्री खंडोबा प्रसन्न ॥" or "॥ श्री तुळजाभवानी प्रसन्न ॥".

2. The invitation line from the bride's or groom's parents.

3. The bride and groom, each with "चि." (Chiranjeev) for the groom and "चि. सौ. कां." (Chiranjeev Saubhagyakankshini) for the bride, and their parents' names.

4. The muhurta: day, date, the exact time (for example "सकाळी ११ वाजून ५१ मिनिटे") and the hall.

5. The other functions with their own dates and times.

6. Snehankit: the relatives who send their love, often a long and proudly kept list.

7. A note such as no gifts, or the reception.

The standard Marathi lines

These are the set phrases families use. They are formal and warm, and elders expect them.

The same invitation in English

For friends, colleagues and relatives who do not read Marathi, send an English version alongside, in the same order.

Many families also keep a short Hindi version for relatives from other states.

The functions to list

A Marathi wedding usually spreads over two or three days. List the ones guests are invited to, with their own time and place.

• Sakharpuda: the engagement, where the families exchange sugar and the bride receives her saree and ornaments. Often a separate card or message weeks earlier.
• Kelvan: a family meal hosted by relatives for the bride or groom before the wedding.
• Halad (Haldi): turmeric for the bride and groom, often the day before. Usually close family.
• Devdevak and Grahamakh: the household rituals that start the wedding. Rarely printed, but the family may want relatives present.
• Seemant Pujan: the bride's family welcomes the groom's family, often the evening before.
• Lagna: the wedding itself, with the antarpat held between the couple, the mangalashtak sung by relatives, the garlands, kanyadaan and the saptapadi. This is the muhurta on the card.
• Varat: the procession and celebration after the wedding.
• Reception: many families now add a reception the same evening or the next day.

The muhurta matters

The time on a Marathi card is exact to the minute because the mangalashtak must finish as the muhurta arrives. Write it the way the priest gives it, and ask guests to arrive half an hour early. A line such as "कृपया वेळेवर उपस्थित राहावे" (please arrive on time) is common and not rude.

Snehankit

The snehankit list is where families show who stands with them: grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins and close family friends. Two tips:

• Keep it to one column on a phone. A long list in two narrow columns is unreadable on WhatsApp.
• Put the elders first and use the same honorifics throughout (श्री., सौ., कै. for those who have passed).

Sending it on WhatsApp

A printed patrika still goes to the closest elders by hand. For everyone else, a digital card or a link on WhatsApp is now normal in Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur alike. Send it personally to each family before posting in any group, and add one line of your own above the card:

Design that suits a Marathi wedding

Marathi families often prefer a paithani border, a Ganesh at the top, mogra or a nauvari motif, and a palette of maroon, gold and green. Keep the Marathi text large; Devanagari loses clarity below about 14 point on a phone. You can type your Marathi wording into any of our wedding invitation designs, or start with a free card with name editing. For the Hindi formats, see our wedding card matter in Hindi.