Chirag and Anushree became man and wife sometime around noon.
Their wedding was conducted in the traditional manner with a long drawn out yet meaningful ritual set against a colourful backdrop. I tried to soak in the procedure and the reasons for every step being taken thanks to the pamphlet thrust into my hands by Anushree's dad. Moreover, the important milestones of the 'saraswath brahmin wedding' were also being explained aloud for the purpose of the understanding of the guests. Let me try to recollect the sequence of events as they'd unfolded....
(a) Swagatam(welcoming) and varapooja(honouring the groom). Anushree's brother invites and
escorts Chirag to the venue. He's honoured by Anushree's family and fed sweets.
(b) Vadhupooja(honouring the bride) and phool-muddi(flower and ring). Anushree is brought to the
stage. Her mother ties a necklace of black and golden beads around her neck signifying her
blessings. Chirag's mom adorns her hair with a flower(phool) and gifts him a ring(muddi).
The prayers are chanted and the actual wedding ceremonies begin.
(c) Urad Muhurth(grinding of lentils). Anushree and Chirag are initiated into household duties by
their using a hand mill to grind grains.
(d) Samavartan/Kashiyatra. Apprehensive of worldly life, the bridegroom would renounce
everything and proceed to Kashi, in the days of old. Symbolic of this aspect, Chirag who
walks away from the wedding is persuaded back into the stage by Anushree's dadwho
explains the virtues of married life.
(e) Vadhupravesham(arrival of the bride). Anushree's maternal uncle escorts her to the stage.
(f) Antarpaat(the veil). A veil is held between Anushree and Chirag symbolising their separate
identities prior to their union. It's lowered on the chanting of verses and they exchange garlands.
Everyone blesses them by pelting 'akshatas'(dried, unbroken rice) at them.
(g) Kanyadaan(giving away the bride). Anushree's parents formally entrusts her to Chirag by
giving her hands in his and pour holy water and milk over them. The couple offers each other
a ball of cummin seeds and brown sugar signifying their acceptance of the bitter-sweet
responsibilies of married life. A white thread is wound around them five times and as the
couple stands up the thread is slid down, collected and cut into two halves - one half
is tied to Anushree's left wrist while the other is tied to Chirag's right wrist.
(h) Taalibandhan(symbolises commitment). Chirag ties a necklace(taali) - presented by his mom
symbolising her blessings for happiness and well being - around Anushree's neck showing his
commitment to her.
(j) Vivahahoma and Laajahoma(holy fire). The holy fire is lit, prayers are offered to 'Agni' and
Anushree's brother gives her puffed rice to make an offering to the fire for a long and enduring
married life. He, then, places silver toe rings on her toes and twists Chirag's ear as a warning
to take good care of his sister!
(k) Saptapadi(the seven steps). Chirag and Anushree go round the holy fire four times. They further
take seven steps symbolising the seven guiding principles in life viz. support, strength and power,
wealth and fortune, happiness, progeny, long life and spiritual well being. And finally, Chirag
places Anushree's foot on a stone slab to signify that their union is firm as a rock!!
Tailpiece.
1. Congratulations, Anushree and Chirag and of course, Anjaneya and Sana. May you have a long and happy married life with everything that you wish for.
2. Thanks Ameeta and Chaitanya for giving me the opportunity to be part of your joyous occasion. Everything was planned and executed perfectly. BZ!
3. Then, there was this 'Kodak' moment when I'd told Sana that Anjaneya had urinated on my shirt when I'd carried him as a little kid and everyone laughed!!
PS.
Three days of non-stop partying! And meeting friends after what seemed to be a long time!! Telephone numbers and addresses have been exchanged. One can't ask for anything more!!!
Their wedding was conducted in the traditional manner with a long drawn out yet meaningful ritual set against a colourful backdrop. I tried to soak in the procedure and the reasons for every step being taken thanks to the pamphlet thrust into my hands by Anushree's dad. Moreover, the important milestones of the 'saraswath brahmin wedding' were also being explained aloud for the purpose of the understanding of the guests. Let me try to recollect the sequence of events as they'd unfolded....
(a) Swagatam(welcoming) and varapooja(honouring the groom). Anushree's brother invites and
escorts Chirag to the venue. He's honoured by Anushree's family and fed sweets.
(b) Vadhupooja(honouring the bride) and phool-muddi(flower and ring). Anushree is brought to the
stage. Her mother ties a necklace of black and golden beads around her neck signifying her
blessings. Chirag's mom adorns her hair with a flower(phool) and gifts him a ring(muddi).
The prayers are chanted and the actual wedding ceremonies begin.
(c) Urad Muhurth(grinding of lentils). Anushree and Chirag are initiated into household duties by
their using a hand mill to grind grains.
(d) Samavartan/Kashiyatra. Apprehensive of worldly life, the bridegroom would renounce
everything and proceed to Kashi, in the days of old. Symbolic of this aspect, Chirag who
walks away from the wedding is persuaded back into the stage by Anushree's dadwho
explains the virtues of married life.
(e) Vadhupravesham(arrival of the bride). Anushree's maternal uncle escorts her to the stage.
(f) Antarpaat(the veil). A veil is held between Anushree and Chirag symbolising their separate
identities prior to their union. It's lowered on the chanting of verses and they exchange garlands.
Everyone blesses them by pelting 'akshatas'(dried, unbroken rice) at them.
(g) Kanyadaan(giving away the bride). Anushree's parents formally entrusts her to Chirag by
giving her hands in his and pour holy water and milk over them. The couple offers each other
a ball of cummin seeds and brown sugar signifying their acceptance of the bitter-sweet
responsibilies of married life. A white thread is wound around them five times and as the
couple stands up the thread is slid down, collected and cut into two halves - one half
is tied to Anushree's left wrist while the other is tied to Chirag's right wrist.
(h) Taalibandhan(symbolises commitment). Chirag ties a necklace(taali) - presented by his mom
symbolising her blessings for happiness and well being - around Anushree's neck showing his
commitment to her.
(j) Vivahahoma and Laajahoma(holy fire). The holy fire is lit, prayers are offered to 'Agni' and
Anushree's brother gives her puffed rice to make an offering to the fire for a long and enduring
married life. He, then, places silver toe rings on her toes and twists Chirag's ear as a warning
to take good care of his sister!
(k) Saptapadi(the seven steps). Chirag and Anushree go round the holy fire four times. They further
take seven steps symbolising the seven guiding principles in life viz. support, strength and power,
wealth and fortune, happiness, progeny, long life and spiritual well being. And finally, Chirag
places Anushree's foot on a stone slab to signify that their union is firm as a rock!!
Tailpiece.
1. Congratulations, Anushree and Chirag and of course, Anjaneya and Sana. May you have a long and happy married life with everything that you wish for.
2. Thanks Ameeta and Chaitanya for giving me the opportunity to be part of your joyous occasion. Everything was planned and executed perfectly. BZ!
3. Then, there was this 'Kodak' moment when I'd told Sana that Anjaneya had urinated on my shirt when I'd carried him as a little kid and everyone laughed!!
PS.
Three days of non-stop partying! And meeting friends after what seemed to be a long time!! Telephone numbers and addresses have been exchanged. One can't ask for anything more!!!
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