happily ever after...

wedding - start of a completely new era in one's life...and when one is talking about something that significant, it has to be celebrated in style...weddings in India are quite elaborate - both in terms of scale and the actual process. Lots of rituals to be followed. In most of the cases, it is a multi-day affair starting from pre-wedding puja to the actual ceremony, followed by reception and then a few more rituals to complete the process. The condition of the bride and the groom is actually pitiful - going through all this, wearing heavy garments and sporting elaborate jewellery :) ...no wonder they call marriage a task of bravery in this part of the world. Mostly in weddings, there's a priest who chants sacred mantra from religious texts - most of the times, these mantras are in Sanskrit - a language that mostly, the common man doesn't understand. The bride, groom merely ape the priest - reproduce the sounds as instructed, without even realizing what promises they're making to each other (and by the time they do, it was way too late :)). The couple exchanges garlands and then they're declared man and wife...but, this particular wedding was a tad different. Here, the priest was being kind enough to explain things in interesting degree of detail...he made sure that the couple understood what they were getting into. I liked the way the priest was painting a rosy picture for the couple. His stories and preachings were all full of hope and happiness. He told us how if the different rituals are interpreted properly, numerous keys to a happy married life can be derived. He told the significance of each step that the couple took around the holy fire. It was all flowing like a story, a fairy tale rather where the couple was going to live, happily ever after...

one of the best weddings I attended till date. Thanks V and S for inviting over...God bless and wishing you a very happy married life ahead.


[P.S.] - The couple will mostly be coming back to this page again and again to check on the blessings. Please be generous :)