Meaning
Observing the anniversary of birth.
Cultural Background
The 'Aukshan' ritual is central. A person's birthday is not complete without an elder female relative performing this ritual with a lamp to ensure protection from the 'evil eye'. The 'Cake Smash' is a modern, often disliked but common addition to urban Marathi birthdays, where cake is rubbed on the face. Many Maharashtrians celebrate birthdays by visiting orphanages or planting trees, reflecting the state's strong history of social reform. For deities, the term 'Janmotsav' (Birth Festival) is often used instead of 'Vadhdivas', though 'Sajara karane' remains the verb.
Touching Feet
When celebrating a birthday in a Marathi household, always touch the feet of your parents and elders after the Aukshan.
Gender Agreement
Remember: Vadhdivas (M) = Sajara. Jayanti (F) = Sajari. Utsav (M) = Sajara.
Meaning
Observing the anniversary of birth.
Touching Feet
When celebrating a birthday in a Marathi household, always touch the feet of your parents and elders after the Aukshan.
Gender Agreement
Remember: Vadhdivas (M) = Sajara. Jayanti (F) = Sajari. Utsav (M) = Sajara.
Avoid 'Kela'
Don't just say 'Vadhdivas kela'. It sounds incomplete. Always include 'Sajara'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'साजरा करणे'.
काल आम्ही राहुलचा वाढदिवस ________. (Past Tense)
Since 'Vadhdivas' is masculine and the action happened yesterday (Past Tense), 'साजरा केला' is correct.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a feminine subject celebrating a birthday?
तिने तिचा वाढदिवस कसा...?
Even if the subject is feminine (Ti), the adjective 'Sajara' agrees with the object 'Vadhdivas' (Masculine).
Complete the dialogue.
अमित: तू तुझा वाढदिवस कुठे साजरा करणार आहेस? सुमित: ________.
The question is in the future tense ('karnar ahes'), so the answer should also be in the future tense.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: A formal news report about a leader's birthday.
This is the formal passive construction used in news reporting.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesकाल आम्ही राहुलचा वाढदिवस ________. (Past Tense)
Since 'Vadhdivas' is masculine and the action happened yesterday (Past Tense), 'साजरा केला' is correct.
तिने तिचा वाढदिवस कसा...?
Even if the subject is feminine (Ti), the adjective 'Sajara' agrees with the object 'Vadhdivas' (Masculine).
अमित: तू तुझा वाढदिवस कुठे साजरा करणार आहेस? सुमित: ________.
The question is in the future tense ('karnar ahes'), so the answer should also be in the future tense.
Context: A formal news report about a leader's birthday.
This is the formal passive construction used in news reporting.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn casual Hinglish, yes ('Birthday celebrate kela'), but in exams or formal writing, always use 'Sajara karane'.
It is masculine (To Vadhdivas).
'Karane' is when you do it; 'Hone' is when it happens to you or the event takes place.
You say 'वाढदिवसाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा!' (Vadhdivasachya hardik shubhechha).
It's better to use 'Lagnacha Vardhapandin' (Wedding anniversary) instead of 'Vadhdivas'.
It depends on the noun. For 'Vadhdivas', it is always 'Sajara'.
A mix of cutting a cake and performing the traditional 'Aukshan' ritual.
It is understood but sounds more like Hindi. 'Vadhdivas' is the native Marathi term.
मी वाढदिवस साजरा करत नाही.
Yes, 'Diwali saajri karane' (Diwali is feminine) or 'Ganpati utsav sajara karane'.
Related Phrases
शुभेच्छा देणे
similarTo give well wishes
पार्टी देणे
specialized formTo give a party
वर्धापनदिन
similarAnniversary
औक्षण करणे
builds onTo perform the lamp ritual
