The Marathi people or Maharashtrians (Marathi: मराठी माणसं or महाराष्ट्रीय) are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages. Although their history goes back more than a millennium, the community came to prominence when Maratha warriors under Shivaji Maharaj established the Maratha Empire in 1674.
The Marathi people are also known as Maharashtrians. The whole community was called Maratha or Marathe (plural of Maratha) between the 17th and 19th centuries. However, at the beginning of 20th century, due to the efforts of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, the peasant Marathi class called Kunbi started using the word Maratha to describe themselves. So that in current usage, the term Maratha applies mainly to the group mentioned before rather than the wider Marathi community. In the Marathi language, they refer to themselves as marathi manoos. They are called Marathi people because of the language they speak, Marathi.The majority of Marathi people are Hindus. Although Krishna in the form of Vithal is the most popular deity amongst Marathi Hindus, they also worship the Shiva Family deities such as as Shankar& Parvati under various names and also Ganesh. The Warkari tradition holds strong grip on local Hindus of Maharastra.The public Ganesh festival started by Lokmanya Tilak in the late 1900s is still very popular. Marathi Hindus also revere Bhakti saints such as Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram and Namdev.
There are also significant minorities of Muslims, Christians and Neo-Buddhists. The Neo-Buddhists are followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Marathi Muslims belong mostly to the Sufi tradition. Visiting the tombs of Sufi saints is very important to this community. Hindus also visit these tombs in great numbers, especially during the annual Urus.
There is also a 3000 strong community of Marathi Jews, popularly known as Bene Israel Most of the rest have migrated to Israel. Before the migration this community numbered at least 90,000.
The Marathi people are also known as Maharashtrians. The whole community was called Maratha or Marathe (plural of Maratha) between the 17th and 19th centuries. However, at the beginning of 20th century, due to the efforts of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, the peasant Marathi class called Kunbi started using the word Maratha to describe themselves. So that in current usage, the term Maratha applies mainly to the group mentioned before rather than the wider Marathi community. In the Marathi language, they refer to themselves as marathi manoos. They are called Marathi people because of the language they speak, Marathi.The majority of Marathi people are Hindus. Although Krishna in the form of Vithal is the most popular deity amongst Marathi Hindus, they also worship the Shiva Family deities such as as Shankar& Parvati under various names and also Ganesh. The Warkari tradition holds strong grip on local Hindus of Maharastra.The public Ganesh festival started by Lokmanya Tilak in the late 1900s is still very popular. Marathi Hindus also revere Bhakti saints such as Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram and Namdev.
There are also significant minorities of Muslims, Christians and Neo-Buddhists. The Neo-Buddhists are followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Marathi Muslims belong mostly to the Sufi tradition. Visiting the tombs of Sufi saints is very important to this community. Hindus also visit these tombs in great numbers, especially during the annual Urus.
There is also a 3000 strong community of Marathi Jews, popularly known as Bene Israel Most of the rest have migrated to Israel. Before the migration this community numbered at least 90,000.
Food
There are many communities in the Marathi society which gives the cuisine much diversity. One can even say that the diversity extends to the family level because each family has its own combination of spices. The majority of Maharashtrians do eat meat and eggs, but the Brahmin community is mostly lacto-vegetarian, however, many Brahmins have now taken to Non vegetarianism or Ovo vegetarianism.
Maharashtrian cuisine is regionally diverse. The staple food on Desh (Deccan plateau) is usually bhakri( In Maharashtra a flat bread preparation made using Indian millet called jowar,bajra or bajri), cooked vegetables, dal and rice. The North Maharashtrians prefer "roti" though. In the coastal Konkan region , rice is the traditional staple food. An aromatic variety of rice called ambemohar is more popular amongst Marathi people than the internationally known basmati rice.
"Thalipeeth" is a popular traditional breakfast bread that is prepared using "Bhajani",a mixture of many different varieties of lentils.
Marathi Hindu people have many days throughout the year for "fasting". On most of these fasting days, traditional staple food like rice and chhapatis are to be avoided. However, many other food items such as milk products, potatoes, peanut and sabudana preparations are allowed which result in a full rich alternative "fasting" cuisine.
In South Konkan, near Malvan, an independent exotic cuisine has developed called Malvani cuisine. It is predominantly non-vegetarian. Kombdi Vade, fish preparations and baked preparations are more popular here.
Desserts are an important part of Marathi food. Puran poli, Shrikhand, Basundi,Kheer and Modak are loved by most people. It should be noted that traditionally the desserts were associated with a particular festival, for example, modaks are prepared during the Ganpati festival.
Maharashtrian cuisine is regionally diverse. The staple food on Desh (Deccan plateau) is usually bhakri( In Maharashtra a flat bread preparation made using Indian millet called jowar,bajra or bajri), cooked vegetables, dal and rice. The North Maharashtrians prefer "roti" though. In the coastal Konkan region , rice is the traditional staple food. An aromatic variety of rice called ambemohar is more popular amongst Marathi people than the internationally known basmati rice.
"Thalipeeth" is a popular traditional breakfast bread that is prepared using "Bhajani",a mixture of many different varieties of lentils.
Marathi Hindu people have many days throughout the year for "fasting". On most of these fasting days, traditional staple food like rice and chhapatis are to be avoided. However, many other food items such as milk products, potatoes, peanut and sabudana preparations are allowed which result in a full rich alternative "fasting" cuisine.
In South Konkan, near Malvan, an independent exotic cuisine has developed called Malvani cuisine. It is predominantly non-vegetarian. Kombdi Vade, fish preparations and baked preparations are more popular here.
Desserts are an important part of Marathi food. Puran poli, Shrikhand, Basundi,Kheer and Modak are loved by most people. It should be noted that traditionally the desserts were associated with a particular festival, for example, modaks are prepared during the Ganpati festival.
main Festivals In Maharashtra
- Gudhi Padwa
- Akshaya Tritiya
- Vat Purnima
- Ashadhi Ekadashi
- Guru Paurnima
- Nag Panchami
- Gokul Ashtami
- mangala Gaur
- Bail Pola / Pithori Amavasya
- hartalika
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Gauri
- Anant Chaturdashi
- Ghatsthapana / Navratri
- Dasara
- Kojagari
- Diwali
- Tulsi Vivah (Tulshicha lagna)
- Kartiki Ekadashi
- Bhogi
- Makar Sankranti
- Maha Shivratri
- Holi
- Dhuli Vandan
- Rang Panchami
Links - http://www.marathimati.com/
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