A Kelvan ceremony is a cherished pre-wedding tradition in Maharashtrian culture where the bride or groom is invited by close family members for a special meal before the wedding. This ritual symbolizes love, blessings, and the beginning of wedding celebrations within the family.

During the Kelvan, relatives host the bride or groom at their home and serve a traditional feast, often presented on a banana leaf. The menu typically includes festive dishes like puran poli, varan-bhaat, bhaji, koshimbir, sweets, and tilgul (sesame sweets), reflecting warmth and hospitality. The ceremony is simple yet meaningful, focusing on togetherness rather than elaborate rituals.

The bride or groom dresses in traditional attiresuch as a saree or kurtaand is welcomed with a tilak, sometimes accompanied by a small pooja or haldi-kumkum ritual. Elders bless them for a happy and prosperous married life.

Overall, a Kelvan ceremony is an intimate celebration that strengthens family bonds, marks the transition into married life, and creates joyful memories before the wedding festivities begin.