Marwa (mandap)
Mandap in Mithila region
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marwa (Maithili: मरवा) also known as Maithil mandap[1][2] is a open hut made for the purposes of auspicious occasion of Upanayana and Vivah in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent.[3] It is generally erected in the middle of the inner courtyard of a Maithil family. In the region of Mithila, the sanskar of Janeu known as Maithil Upanayan is performed on a decorated Marwa made of bamboos. In the tradition of Maithil Brahmins, a marwa made of green bamboos is considered as a sacred place for performing the auspicious rituals of Upanayana and Vivah ceremonies.[4][5][6]
The floor of a marwa is cleaned by smearing mixture of cow dung, mud and water. In Hinduism, cleaning by cow dung is considered as sacred. It is used for purification of the floor's surface of the marwa. It is cleaned by the women of the family. After that, when the floor becomes dry, a lady of the family draws beautiful images of Aripan on the floor for its decoration.[7]
Description
The Ramayana refers to a legendary marwa in Mithila, where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita were mutually married. According to the text, a marwa is defined as a small, well-decorated, thatched-roofed cottage constructed for the sacred rituals such as the Upanayan ceremony and weddings.[8]
.jpg)
In the tradition of Maithil Upanayana, the rituals of the upanayana also known as Janeu Sanskar are conducted on a marwa. On the upanayana day, a havan yagya is conducted on the floor of the marwa.
.jpg)
During a marriage ceremony of a Maithil couple, the marwa (mandap) for marriage rituals is constructed at the courtyard of the bride's place (house).[9] Within the marwa, a vedi is constructed, around which a handful of 'lava' is spread.[10]
Some legendary marwas
In the region of Mithila, there are some legendary marwas associated with Ramayana, etc. According to legend, the marriage between Lord Rama and Goddess Sita in Ramayana was conducted at a marwa (mandap).[8] At the outskirts near Rani Bazar of the Janakpur city, there is a place known as Manimandapa believed to the location of the original marwa (Vivah Mandap), where the divine couple were married mutually.[11]
Similarly in the city of Janakpur, adjacent to the Janaki Mandir, there is a magnificent marwa known as Ram Janaki Vivah Mandap. It was constructed to make the legacy of Ram Janaki Vivah (marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita) memorable.
.jpg)
_name_of_the_God_as_per_the_Vedas.svg){kind=small}