During the haldi (turmeric) ceremony, the mami (wife of maternal uncle) and other close relatives assist the bride and groom in performing pheras or saptapadi (ritual of circumambulation around a sacred object). They carry a kalash (pot) containing coconut and mango leaves in their hands.
The women gather in the backyard to prepare food for all the guests, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among the community as they prepare to welcome the new members into their fold.
Every member of the family, including children, participates in the ceremony. They take turns applying turmeric and offer blessings to the couple for a successful married life, accompanied by singing traditional songs.
During the haldi (turmeric) ceremony, a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood, and other ingredients is applied to the bride and groom. This application is done either by hand or using mango leaves, starting typically from the feet and moving upwards to the arms and face.
The bride and the groom are covered in a veil while relatives perform aarti (the waving of a flame, usually from a lit lamp, before a deity during prayers), blessing the couple and welcoming the bride into the family.
At the end of the ceremony, before using it for this purpose. A cloth is held above the bride and groom like a canopy, and a pair of winnowing trays are placed on it. The couple is then tasked with finding various items on the trays without looking up.
The bride sits on the lap of her mama (maternal uncle), and together they cut the mango branches, with a sickle, signifying the abundance and wealth bestowed upon the bride’s new household.
Before the haldi (turmeric) ceremony, there is a ritual where the bride is adorned with glass bangles, symbolizing her transition from girlhood to womanhood.
Coconuts are worshipped in a shrine at the Koli household before commencing auspicious ceremonies. The coconut holds significant cultural and religious importance in the Koli community and is used on all auspicious occasions. Its three eyes symbolize the Trimurti - the Hindu trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).