Marathi Ukhane for Bride and Groom - Meaning, Occasions and 20 New Ukhane
What a Marathi ukhana is, when the bride and groom say one, how to write your own, and 20 new ukhane in Devanagari with romanisation and meaning.
Raj Patil · Founder, Vivah Swapn
Raj Patil is the founder of Vivah Swapn and writes about matchmaking, building strong matrimony profiles, and Maharashtrian marriage traditions.
An ukhana (उखाणा, plural ukhane) is a short rhyming couplet in Marathi in which a bride or groom says their spouse's name. At a Marathi wedding the bride says one at the threshold when she enters her new home (grihapravesh), another while feeding her husband a mouthful at the wedding lunch, and often more at the halad; these days the groom is made to say one too. This post explains the custom, how an ukhana is built and how to write your own, and gives 20 ukhane in Devanagari with a romanisation and an English meaning. The Marathi version of this post has 43, grouped by occasion. All of them were written new for this post, so you are unlikely to hear the same lines from three other brides that season.
What an ukhana is
The older meaning of ukhana is a riddle. Molesworth's Marathi-English dictionary gives three senses: a riddle, a proverb with a hidden meaning, and the rhyming banter that the mothers of the bride and groom exchange at weddings. Today, when someone at a wedding says "ukhana ghe!" (say an ukhana!), everyone knows what they mean: say your spouse's name, and make it rhyme.
In many households of earlier generations, a wife did not say her husband's name aloud. The ukhana was a way to say it in front of everyone, with respect and a little fun. That restriction has largely gone, but the ukhana has stayed, because it is the lightest moment of the wedding. The room goes quiet, the bride is a little shy, someone shouts "one more!", and everyone laughs.
The form is simple. The first line paints a picture: a deity, a festival, a flower, food, a town. The second line carries the name, and both lines end on the same sound. Brides often add the respectful suffix -rao to the husband's name ("Aniketravanche naav ghete", I take Aniketrao's name). Whether to add it is your choice.
When the bride and groom say an ukhana
Customs differ between families, but at a wedding these moments are close to fixed:
- Grihapravesh. The bride tips over the measure of rice (maap) at the threshold with her right foot and enters her new home. The groom's family will not let her in, or will not let her sit down, until she has said an ukhana. This is the best-known one.
- The wedding lunch. The couple feed each other a morsel (ghaas), and an ukhana comes first. This is where the demands for "one more" usually begin.
- Halad. On the turmeric day, friends and cousins make the bride say one in fun. Funny ukhane go down best here.
- After the wedding. A Satyanarayan puja, the first Mangalagaur, a haldi-kunku, lunches at relatives' homes: whenever the new daughter-in-law is present, someone asks for an ukhana.
The full order of the wedding rituals is in our Maharashtrian wedding rituals guide.
How to write your own ukhana
You can use the ukhane below as they are, or borrow an idea and make your own. A home-made ukhana gets more applause.
- Write the second line first. Decide how it starts ("…ravanche naav ghete" for a bride, "…che naav gheto" for a groom) and the word it ends on: daar (door), ghaas (morsel), saath (companionship), anand (joy).
- Then find a first line that rhymes with it. Daar and aabhar, ghaas and taas, saath and haat. A first line about your town, your family deity, a favourite dish or how you two met makes the ukhana yours.
- Keep it to two lines. Nobody remembers four lines in front of a crowd and a camera.
- Prepare two or three. One for grihapravesh, one for lunch, and one for "one more!".
- Say it aloud the day before. A line that looks fine on paper can still trip you up.
If you grew up outside Maharashtra and Marathi is not your strongest language, a short, simple ukhana said clearly will be received far better than a long one read off a phone. Our NRI Marathi matrimony page is written for families like yours.
Ukhane for the bride
In each ukhana, "…" is where the name goes.
- मोगऱ्याच्या गजऱ्याचा सुगंध दरवळतो रात्री,
…रावांच्या साथीची मला आहे पूर्ण खात्री.
Mogaryachya gajaryacha sugandh darvalto ratri,
…ravanchya sathichi mala aahe purna khatri.
The scent of my jasmine gajra spreads through the night; of …rao's companionship I am completely sure. - रांगोळीच्या ठिपक्यांनी सजले घराचे दार,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, मानते सर्वांचे आभार.
Rangolichya thipkyanni sajle gharache daar,
…ravanche naav ghete, manate sarvanche aabhar.
Dots of rangoli decorate the door of the house; I take …rao's name and thank you all. - नवी नथ, नवा शालू, सगळे काही नवे,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, आणखी काय हवे?
Navi nath, nava shalu, sagle kahi nave,
…ravanche naav ghete, aankhi kay have?
A new nose ring, a new shalu, everything is new; I take …rao's name, what more could I want? - पंढरीच्या विठ्ठलापाशी उभी रखुमाई,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, आशीर्वाद द्या आई.
Pandharichya Vitthalapashi ubhi Rakhumai,
…ravanche naav ghete, aashirvad dya aai.
Rakhumai stands beside Vitthal at Pandharpur; I take …rao's name, bless me, Mother. - देवघरात समई, समईत तुपाची वात,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, लाभो सात जन्मांची साथ.
Devgharat samai, samait tupachi vaat,
…ravanche naav ghete, labho saat janmanchi saath.
A lamp in the prayer room, a ghee wick in the lamp; I take …rao's name, may we be together for seven lifetimes.
For grihapravesh
- माप ओलांडून आले, सांडले तांदळाचे दाणे,
…रावांच्या घरात आता सुरू माझे नवे गाणे.
Maap olandun aale, sandle tandalache daane,
…ravanchya gharat aata suru maze nave gaane.
I crossed the measure of rice and the grains spilled; in …rao's home my new song begins. - दारावर हिरवे तोरण, सासूबाईंनी केले औक्षण,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, आजपासून हेच माझे अंगण.
Daravar hirve toran, sasubainni kele aukshan,
…ravanche naav ghete, aajpasun hech maze angan.
A green garland on the door, my mother-in-law waves the lamp to welcome me; I take …rao's name, from today this courtyard is mine. - आईचा निरोप घेऊन आले, सासरचे स्वागत दारी,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, आता हीच माझी पंढरी.
Aaicha nirop gheun aale, sasarche swagat daari,
…ravanche naav ghete, aata hich mazi Pandhari.
I came with my mother's farewell, and my new family welcomes me at the door; I take …rao's name, this home is now my Pandharpur.
At the wedding lunch
- वरणभातावर तूप, सोबत लिंबाची फोड,
…रावांना घास भरवते, जसे त्यांचे बोलणे गोड.
Varanbhatavar tup, sobat limbachi phod,
…ravanna ghaas bharavte, jase tyanche bolne god.
Ghee on varan-bhaat with a wedge of lime; I feed …rao a morsel, as sweet as the way he talks. - केशरी जिलेबीला गोल गोल वळण,
…रावांना घास भरवते, आता सुरू करा जेवण.
Keshari jilebila gol gol valan,
…ravanna ghaas bharavte, aata suru kara jevan.
The saffron jalebi goes round and round; I feed …rao a morsel, now everyone can start eating.
What a Marathi wedding lunch usually includes is in our Marathi wedding food guide; any dish on that list can become the first line of your ukhana.
At the halad
- पिवळी हळद, हिरवा चुडा, अंगावर नवा साज,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, हळदीचा दिवस आज.
Pivli halad, hirva chuda, angavar nava saaj,
…ravanche naav ghete, haladicha divas aaj.
Yellow turmeric, green bangles, new finery; I take …rao's name, today is the halad.
Funny ukhane
For the halad, a crowd of friends, and the third "one more!". You know your family best: pick accordingly in front of the elders.
- पुण्याच्या ट्रॅफिकमध्ये अडकले पूर्ण एक तास,
…रावांचे नाव घेते, आता तरी द्या जेवणाचा घास.
Punyachya traffic-madhye adakle purna ek taas,
…ravanche naav ghete, aata tari dya jevnacha ghaas.
I was stuck in Pune traffic for a whole hour; I take …rao's name, now at least give me something to eat. - सासूबाई विचारतात, पोळी होते का गोल?
…राव म्हणतात, नकाशा झाला तरी चालेल, शिकू भूगोल!
Sasubai vichartat, poli hote ka gol?
…rao mhantat, nakasha jhala tari chalel, shiku bhugol!
My mother-in-law asks, are your chapatis round? …rao says, if it comes out like a map that's fine, we'll learn geography! - लग्नाच्या पंगतीत प्यायले मठ्ठ्याचे दोन ग्लास,
…रावांचे नाव घेतले, उखाण्याच्या परीक्षेत पास!
Lagnachya pangtit pyayle maththyache don glass,
…ravanche naav ghetle, ukhanyachya parikshet pass!
At the wedding lunch I drank two glasses of mattha; I've said …rao's name, I've passed the ukhana exam! - कांदेपोह्यांच्या दिवशी पोहे होते कमी, चहा जास्त,
…रावांनी होकार दिला, म्हणून आज मी इथे मस्त.
Kandepohyanchya divshi pohe hote kami, chaha jasta,
…ravanni hokar dila, mhanun aaj mi ithe masta.
On the kande-pohe day there was less poha and more tea; …rao said yes, so here I am, happy.
If you have not had that first meeting yet, our kande pohe guide tells you what to expect.
Ukhane for the groom
The groom adds -che to the bride's name ("Sayaliche naav gheto", I take Sayali's name), or -la, -ne or sobat where the line needs it.
- शिवनेरीच्या गडावर वाऱ्याचा मोठा जोर,
…चे नाव घेतो, माझे भाग्य थोर.
Shivnerichya gadavar varyacha motha jor,
…che naav gheto, maze bhagya thor.
The wind blows hard on Shivneri fort; I take …'s name, I am truly fortunate. - ऑफिसच्या मीटिंगला मी नेहमीच लेट,
…चे नाव घेतो, आता घरी जाणार थेट.
Officechya meetingla mi nehmich late,
…che naav gheto, aata ghari janar thet.
I am always late for office meetings; I take …'s name, from now on I go straight home. - क्रिकेटच्या सामन्यात मारला उंच षटकार,
…चे नाव घेतो, तिने दिला मला होकार.
Cricketchya samnyat marla unch shatkar,
…che naav gheto, tine dila mala hokar.
I hit a high six in the cricket match; I take …'s name, she said yes to me. - ताटात पुरणपोळी, वाटीत कटाची आमटी,
…ला घास भरवतो, बाकी नंतर गमती-जमती.
Tatat puranpoli, vatit katachi aamti,
…la ghaas bharavto, baki nantar gamti-jamti.
Puranpoli on the plate, katachi aamti in the bowl; I feed … a morsel, the fun and games can wait. - अंगणात फुलले जास्वंदीचे लाल फूल,
…ला पाहताच पडली मला भूल.
Anganat phulle jaswandiche laal phool,
…la pahatach padli mala bhool.
A red hibiscus bloomed in the courtyard; the moment I saw …, I was enchanted.
Frequently asked questions
Does only the bride say an ukhana?
Traditionally it was mostly the bride, but at most weddings now the groom is made to say one as well, and his tends to draw the bigger crowd. Five groom ukhane are above, and nine in the Marathi version.
Is it necessary to add "rao" to the husband's name?
No. -rao is an old, affectionate mark of respect and many brides like adding it, but "Aniketche naav ghete" is perfectly fine. Go with whatever fits the rhyme.
What if I forget my ukhana?
It happens to everyone and nobody minds. Learn one short ukhana by heart; under pressure, that is the one that comes out. Plenty of brides keep theirs in their phone.
Can a funny ukhana be said at grihapravesh?
It depends on the family. In some homes grihapravesh is a solemn moment, so say a traditional or grihapravesh ukhana there and keep the funny one for the lunch or the halad. If unsure, ask a sister-in-law on the groom's side beforehand.
Can I use these ukhane at my own wedding or in my posts?
Yes, use them freely at your wedding, at family functions and in your own posts.
The ukhana is often the moment when two families first laugh together. If your family is still looking for that match, Vivah Swapn lists Marathi matches across Maharashtra.