Where do families in Maharashtra search for a match?
Marathi families register at a vadhu-var suchak mandal and attend samaj melavas before they open an app. Anuroop Wiwaha (since 1975), BhagyaVivah, Anand Maratha and Yog Maratha keep the printed and WhatsApp lists; MarathiMatrimony, Shaadi.com and Jeevansathi are the online pools, and MarathiMatrimony is the same database as BharatMatrimony. Sakal, Loksatta and Lokmat Sunday pages are the paid fallback, from Rs 200 in Lokmat. Bureaus must register under the 1998 Act, but no public register exists, so ask to see the certificate.
Online, most used: MarathiMatrimony, Shaadi.com, Anuroop Wiwaha, BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi.com.
Community and offline channels
- Anuroop Wiwaha melavas (parichay sammelan / melava), Anuroop Wiwaha Sanstha, Pune. For Brahmin (any), CKP (Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu), Maratha (incl. 96 Kuli). Melavas more than twice a year plus Thet-Bhet speed meets; melava fee separate from paid registration.
- Yog Maratha melavas (vadhu-var suchak mandal), Girish Patil, Kolhapur. For Maratha (incl. 96 Kuli). 96 Kuli Maratha only; 10 to 12 melavas a year, free entry for registered members; biodata by WhatsApp.
- Lokmat Sunday classifieds (newspaper matrimonials), Lokmat Media. Rs 200 per 7 lines single edition, Rs 3,100 all 11 editions; Sunday.
- Lagnabandha Maratha Matrimony (WhatsApp group) (social media group), Team of engineers in Pune and Satara (site built by Frentis Technology). For Maratha (incl. 96 Kuli). Premium price not published (as of 2026-09-11).
- Bhratru Mandal Pune (Leva Patil vadhu-var melava) (parichay sammelan / melava), Bhratru Mandal, Warje, Pune (Leva Patil community organisation). For Leva Patil (Maharashtra). Not published (as of 2026-09-11).
- Jain Vadhu-Var Parichay Sanstha, Pune (parichay sammelan / melava), Non-profit sanstha (President Mukesh Shah), Pune-Satara Road. For Shwetambar Jain (Murtipujak, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi). Not published (as of 2026-09-11).
- Sakal matrimonial classifieds (newspaper matrimonials), Sakal Media Group (rates via releaseMyAd). Text from Rs 5,250 for 7 lines across 7 editions (Rs 5,513 with GST); display from Rs 675 per 15 sq cm block, Rs 45 per extra sq cm. Sunday focus. As of 2026-09-11.
- Loksatta matrimonial classifieds (newspaper matrimonials), Indian Express Group (rates via releaseMyAd). Text from Rs 1,335 for 20 words across 5 editions (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar); display from Rs 7,350. Sunday focus. As of 2026-09-11.
- Gujarat Samachar matrimonial classifieds (newspaper matrimonials), Lok Prakashan (rates via releaseMyAd). Text from Rs 60 for 5 words (Bhavnagar) up to Rs 1,390 for 5 words across all 6 editions; display from Rs 2,100 for 20 sq cm. Focus days Wednesday and Saturday. As of 2026-09-11.
- Rishtey Dhaage (digital parichay sammelans) (parichay sammelan / melava), Rishtey Dhaage, Pune. For Agarwal / Bania / Vaishya, Brahmin (any), Gosavi / Gosain, Any Jain / no preference, Maheshwari, Vanjari. Agrawal Parichay Sammelan, Lonavala, 15 to 16 Aug 2026: Rs 4,500 (offline). Maheshwari virtual sammelan, 23 Aug 2026: Rs 301. As of 2026-09-11.
- Daily Thanthi (Manapanthal) matrimonial classifieds (newspaper matrimonials), Daily Thanthi (rates via releaseMyAd). Text Rs 1,090 for 4 printed lines across 15 editions; display Rs 8,025 for 3x3 cm; 2-day booking 12 percent off, 3-day 20 percent off. Focus day Wednesday. As of 2026-09-11.
- Jain Direct (offline channel), Jain Direct advisory board (Mumbai), free platform for Jain organisations. For Any Jain / no preference. Free platform; parichay sammelan page opened empty.
Newspaper matrimonials families still read: Sakal, Loksatta, Lokmat, Maharashtra Times.
City by city
A search in Pune looks nothing like a search in Kochi or Ludhiana. The dominant platform changes, the communities change, and the offline channels that families trust most are local: a samaj registry in one city, a diocesan office in another, a Sunday newspaper column in a third. The table lists, for each city, the communities you will meet most, where families there search online, and the community and offline channels worth knowing.
| City | Communities you will meet most | Where families search online | Offline and community channels | Local notes: recent scam reports, what locals say |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Maharashtra | Maratha and Kunbi, Kokanastha and Deshastha Brahmin, CKP, Gujarati Patel and Lohana, Jain, Marwari, Sindhi, Parsi, Dawoodi Bohra, Khoja, Memon, Sunni and Shia Muslim, Roman Catholic (East Indian, Goan, Mangalorean), South Indian migrants, Navayana Buddhist, Punjabi Khatri | Shaadi.com, BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi.com, MarathiMatrimony, Anuroop Wiwaha, GujaratiMatrimony, MuslimMatrimony, NikahForever | Pavitra Vivah, Dadar (43 years of service, free registration, claims 50,000 active members; get-togethers; unverified says melavas at Dadar, Borivali and Thane.); Kshatriya Maratha Tawde Hitavardhak Mandal (Tawde Vivah), Lower Parel (40K+ profiles, in-person verification, vadhu-var melava; membership Rs 1,800 per unverified.); Konkan Maratha Samaj LMP vadhu-var melava (Free melava since May 2010 (210+ candidates at the first), no donation or charge; forms collected in Mumbai, Pune, Karwar and Goa.); Marathi Vadhu Var Suchak / BhagyaVivah, Dadar (Offline since 1990, online since 2014, free registration, regular melavas.); Lagnatharle Mumbai registries (unverified: Maratha, Brahman, Buddhist, Vanjari, Kunbi, Vadar, Bhandari, Agri, CKP and Gurav registries.); Khoja Shia Ithna Ashari Jamaat Mumbai (Parent jamaat; matrimonial desk not verified, ask the office (022 23433473).); Bombay Parsi Punchayet (Apex Parsi body; matrimonial service not verified.); Archdiocese of Bombay parishes (Parish directory; matrimonial service not verified.); K K Samaj Mumbai Facebook group (Posts vadhu-var melava photos (unverified).); Times of India Mumbai Sunday matrimonial (Mumbai 8.1 lakh/day; Soul Mate 59-edition package Rs 10,350 for 5 lines; Sunday.); Lokmat / Loksatta / Sakal Sunday classifieds (Lokmat Rs 200 per 7 lines single edition; Loksatta Rs 1,335 per 20 words 5 editions; Sakal Rs 5,250 per 7 lines 7 editions.). Marathi families start at a Dadar or Lower Parel vadhu-var suchak mandal or samaj melava; Gujarati, Bohra, Khoja and Parsi families start inside the samaj or jamaat; ask any bureau for its Maharashtra 1998 Act registration certificate. |
|
| Pune Maharashtra | Maratha, Deshastha and Kokanastha Brahmin, CKP, Mali, Leva Patil, Jain, Marwari, Sindhi, Sunni Muslim, Navayana Buddhist, Catholic, IT migrants | MarathiMatrimony, Anuroop Wiwaha, Shaadi.com, BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi.com, JainMatrimony | Anuroop Wiwaha melavas and Thet-Bhet (Melavas more than twice a year; melava fee separate; document-verified profiles; free counselling.); Bhratru Mandal Pune melavas (Vadhuvar Melava 21 Nov 2026 at Govinda Garden, Baner; Punarvivah melava 22 Feb 2026; lifetime membership.); Jain Vadhu-Var Parichay Sanstha Pune (Shwetambar Murtipujak Gujarati Jains; 3 melavas a year; 41st online melava 19 Jul 2026.); Anand Maratha, Dhankawadi (Rs 2,000 a year; about 11,000 members including divorcee sections.); Rishtey Dhaage sammelans (Agrawal sammelan Lonavala 15 to 16 Aug 2026 Rs 4,500; virtual Maheshwari 23 Aug 2026 Rs 301.); Lagnabandha WhatsApp group (Free registration, 10,000+ educated Maratha profiles claimed, join via WhatsApp button.); Sakal / Loksatta / Lokmat Pune Sunday (Sakal Rs 5,250 per 7 lines 7 editions; Lokmat Pune 3.8 lakh; TOI Pune 2.8 lakh/day.). Pune is the melava capital: Anuroop, Bhratru Mandal, the Jain Sanstha and Rishtey Dhaage publish dates and fees, so plan a season of events rather than rely on one portal. |
|
| Nagpur Maharashtra | Kunbi and Maratha, Deshastha Brahmin, Teli, Halba and Koshti, Mali, Lodhi, Navayana Buddhist, Marwari, Sindhi, Gujarati, Muslim, Christian, Gond, Padmashali, Hindi-speaking migrants | MarathiMatrimony, Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi.com, BharatMatrimony, HindiMatrimony | Lodhi Samaj yuvak-yuvati parichay sammelan (Nagpur Today 3 Jan 2019 headline.); Padmashali state-level parichay sammelan (159 youth (bhaskarhindi.com 16 Dec 2019 headline).); Gondhali Samaj vadhu-var parichay melava (5 Apr 2026 with a minister attending (Divya Marathi 31 Mar 2026 headline).); WhatsApp Atoot Rishta Group (Credited with 1,200 matches (bhaskarhindi.com 28 Feb 2019 headline).); Lokmat Nagpur Sunday classifieds (Rs 200 per 7 lines single edition, the cheapest paid channel found; Nagpur 3.4 lakh circulation.). Samaj sammelans (Lodhi, Padmashali, Teli, Buddhist) and WhatsApp groups matter more than portals; Lokmat's single-edition rate is the cheapest paid channel found. |
|
| Nashik Maharashtra | Maratha and Kunbi, Mali, Deshastha and Kokanastha Brahmin, Vanjari, Teli, Dhangar, Koli and Bhil, Navayana Buddhist, Marwari and Gujarati, Sindhi, Sunni Muslim, Jain, Christian | MarathiMatrimony, Anuroop Wiwaha, Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi.com, BharatMatrimony | All-community vadhu-var melava, Nashik (Loksatta 1 Jan 2026 headline.); HIV-positive vadhu-var melava, Nashik (Seven marriages, 100-plus participants (Pudhari 19 Dec 2022; Divya Marathi 12 Dec 2022 headlines).); State-level Mali Samaj vadhu-var melava (Esakal 4 Jan 2026 headline; Mali samaj is strong in Nashik.); Sakal Nashik Sunday (Sakal Rs 5,250 per 7 lines 7 editions; Deshdoot not verified.). Mali and Maratha samaj melavas plus Sakal; the Pune mandals cover Nashik families. |
|
| Kolhapur Maharashtra | 96 Kuli Maratha, Kunbi, Lingayat, Digambar Jain, Deshastha Brahmin, Dhangar, Mali, Sutar and Lohar, Navayana Buddhist, Sunni Muslim, Marwari and Gujarati, Christian | MarathiMatrimony, Anuroop Wiwaha, JainMatrimony, Shaadi.com | Yog Maratha melavas (96 Kuli Maratha only; 10 to 12 melavas a year, free entry for registered members; biodata via WhatsApp 7264003002; first melava 7 Mar 2021 at Shahu Smarak Bhavan.); Sutar-Lohar artisan community matchmaking (Lokmat 21 May 2018 headline.); Pudhari / Sakal Kolhapur Sunday (Pudhari rate not verified.). Yog Maratha's free melavas make Kolhapur the easiest city for 96 Kuli Maratha families to meet in person. |
|
Platforms based here
Anuroop Wiwaha
Regional
Who runs it: Anuroop Wiwaha Sanstha, Pune (Kanitkar family; MD Dr Gauri Kanitkar), since 1975. Size: 90,000+ marriages (About page) / 130,000+ marriages and 1000+ events (services page); 5L+ Android downloads, 4.2 stars, 15.3K reviews (Play search card).
Serves: Maharashtra, Gujarat; all religions; all communities.
Free: None; registration itself is a paid service and you cannot browse without paying.
Paid: Fee not published on any page opened; third-party review snippet says about Rs 5,000 per 12-month profile (snippet, unverified). Melava fees are charged separately. As of 2026-09-11.
Verification: ID, address, income and education proof mandatory; profile can be blocked if ID proof is not submitted within 8 days.
Ratings: Google Play 4.2 (15k) · App Store 3.9 (3k)
Good
- Old Marathi bureau (since 1990) with events and offline help
- Play 4.2 from 15,286; 5L+ downloads
- Maharashtra families know the name from newspapers
- Document-checked profiles
Watch out
- App is buggy, reviewers say (crashes, repeated profiles)
- Reviewers want document verification, which is not a filter
- App Store rating 3.94
- Pay before you can see anything
Best for: Marathi or Gujarati families who want a serious, verified pool and are happy to pay up front and attend events.
“There should be an option to filter profiles based on document verification” Google Play
anuroopwiwaha.com · Android · Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Lagnatharle
Regional
Who runs it: Lagnatharle.com (private, Maharashtra). Size: 4,718 grooms and 5,554 brides; 1500+ couples (site).
Serves: Maharashtra; Buddhist, Hindu; Brahmin (any), Any Buddhist / no preference, Dhangar, Kunbi, Mali, Maratha (incl. 96 Kuli) and 5 more.
Free: Free registration and profile viewing; contacting requires premium.
Paid: Premium price not published (as of 2026-09-11).
Verification: Claims 100 percent government ID verification.
Good
- Free browsing
- Caste-level pages incl. Buddhist and Matang
Watch out
- Small pool
- Pricing opaque
Best for: Marathi families in smaller communities that giant sites lump together.
lagnatharle.com · Sources: [1]
Maratha Lagnagathi
Regional
Who runs it: Private, Mumbai. Size: 2,500 grooms, 3,000 brides, 500 marriages (site).
Serves: Maharashtra; Buddhist, Hindu; Agri / Koli, Any Buddhist / no preference, CKP (Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu), Dhangar, Kokanastha / Chitpavan Brahmin, Kumbhar / Prajapati and 2 more.
Free: Free registration and unlimited browsing; pay only to upgrade.
Paid: Premium price not published (as of 2026-09-11).
Verification: Claims identity checks on all profiles.
Good
- Free browsing
- Horoscope matching
Watch out
- Small pool
- Verification not detailed
Best for: Mumbai Marathi families wanting a free second channel.
marathalagnagathi.com · Sources: [1]
Marathi Vadhu Var Suchak (BhagyaVivah)
Regional
Who runs it: BhagyaVivah Matrimony, Mumbai (co-founders Sachin Khot, Mangesh Narayankar), since 2014. Size: No profile count published; parent active offline since 1990; app 4.2 stars (Play search card).
Serves: Maharashtra; all religions; all communities.
Free: Free registration, search and mobile-verified profile; contact details need premium.
Paid: Premium price not published (as of 2026-09-11).
Verification: Mobile OTP for all; optional ID upload earns a Trust Badge.
Good
- Free to register
- Marathi-only pool
- Mumbai office plus melavas
Watch out
- Price hidden until you upgrade
- Success claims unaudited
Best for: Mumbai-region Marathi families wanting a free start with an office to visit.
marathivadhuvarsuchak.com · Android · Sources: [1] [2] [3]
MarathiMatrimony
Regional · BharatMatrimony database
Who runs it: Matrimony.com Ltd, Chennai (regional portal of BharatMatrimony), since 2000. Size: Not published separately; part of BharatMatrimony's pool (0.96M paid subscriptions FY26). App copy calls itself the 'Biggest' app for the community..
Serves: all of India, Maharashtra, Outside India (NRI); all religions; all communities.
Free: Same as BharatMatrimony: free profile, search and interests; contacts, messaging and calls need a paid plan.
Paid: Same ladder as BharatMatrimony. Tamil Matrimony App Store in-app (11 Sep 2026): Gold 3 months Rs 5,900, Diamond 3 months Rs 7,900, Prime Gold 3 months Rs 7,900, Platinum 3 months Rs 9,900, TUM Regular Rs 19,900, Profile Highlighter Rs 450 to Rs 2,700. Web plans on grabon.in (coupon site): Gold Rs 4,900 / 3 months, Assisted Rs 21,000 / 3 months.
Verification: Same Trust Badge scheme as BharatMatrimony.
Ratings: Google Play 4.1 (34k) · App Store 4.3 (766)
Good
- Large Marathi database with 96 Kuli Maratha, Brahmin, Mali and other caste filters
- Free registration; Marathi-language app
- Part of the BharatMatrimony network
- community-specific search on the full BharatMatrimony pool
Watch out
- Reviewers say most profiles shown after payment have no photo and do not reply
- Daily sales calls before payment, silence after
- Claims of preferences being edited by staff
- Free members cannot see phone numbers
Best for: Families whose mother tongue is the portal's community; register once here or on BharatMatrimony, not both.
“they will call you every day for make payment and give you fake promises” Google Play
marathimatrimony.com · iOS · Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Anand Maratha Vadhu Var Kendra
Community
Who runs it: Suhas Shirke, Dhankawadi, Pune, since 1997. Size: About 11,000 active members: 5,843 grooms, 5,183 brides, 378 divorcee grooms, 391 divorcee brides (site, 2026-09-11).
Serves: Maharashtra; Hindu; Maratha (incl. 96 Kuli).
Free: No free tier; yearly registration required to access the list.
Paid: Rs 2,000 yearly registration (site, 2026-09-11).
Verification: Not described on site.
Good
- Cheap flat yearly fee
- Maratha-only, Pune based
- Divorcee section
Watch out
- No verification described
- Web-only, no app
Best for: Maratha families in western Maharashtra who want an inexpensive kendra membership.
anandmaratha.com · Sources: [1]
Yog Maratha Vadhu Var Suchak Kendra
Community
Who runs it: Girish Patil, Kolhapur (branches Pune, Sangli, Satara). Size: 6,500+ to 8,000+ profiles; 10,000+ registrations a year (site); app 4.5 stars (Play search card).
Serves: Maharashtra; Hindu; Maratha (incl. 96 Kuli).
Free: Profiles viewable free on the website and via WhatsApp; registration fee to be listed.
Paid: Registration fee not published; melavas free for registered members (as of 2026-09-11).
Verification: Mobile or ID verified before a profile is posted.
Good
- Free viewing
- Frequent melavas
- WhatsApp-friendly for parents
Watch out
- 96 Kuli Maratha only
- Fee not shown
Best for: 96 Kuli Maratha families in Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Pune who value in-person melavas.
yogmaratha.com · Android · Sources: [1] [2] [3]
Also used here: ABPweddings, Lagnavaarta Matrimony, Maheshwari.org Matrimony.
Part of SendRishta's field guide to matrimony sites in India. Prices, ratings and counts were recorded on 11 Sep 2026; method, sources and corrections are on the main page.