An Ukrainian bride whose family and friends cannot make it to her wedding in Britain has advertised for 'decent' guests to attend the ceremony in their place. She even needs a bridesmaid. She has posted an advertisement online saying that only her parents can be at her wedding in London and she needs 30 people to fill her side of the church.I just compare this sad prospect of not having even 30 guests from 'your side' of the family with the situation in India. We used to have such elaborate weddings some years ago that it is an event no couple will be able to forget easily. All those long winding rituals were so nice to read, though I personally would not have agreed to subject myself to all that just to amuse all the hundreds around. Anyway, here are some details how a traditional brahmin wedding got celebrated those days. I came across these nice illustrations in a website some time ago and thought you will enjoy reading it.
“I am having a large mixed wedding of about 150 people. My partner has loads of family around to invite to the wedding. Unfortunately, my family are all in Ukraine,” said the advertisement.
KASI YATRA
The groom wearing a new chappal holding an umbrella and a walking stick proceeds on his yatra to Kasi. The father of the girl intercepts him offering his girl in marriage and bring him to Grahasth Ashramam.
EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS
The boy and the girl then exchange fresh flower garlands usually helped by their uncles lifting them bodily.
SWING
The boy and girl then sit in a swing; ladies sing songs and greet the couples. The event adds festivity to the occasion.
MANGALYA DHARANAM
The most precious moment in one's life. The bride sits on her father's lap. The groom ties the mangalya sutra around the bride's neck with prayers for his well being and for her to live hundred years.
PANI GRAHANAM
The bride groom holds the bride's right hand and recites the marriage vows in four mantras. He prays Agri (the God of fire), Saraswathi (the Goddess of knowledge) and Vayu (the lord Wind for blessings, long life and congruence of mind.
SAPTHAPATHI
The groom takes the right big toe of the bride in his right hand and walks her seven steps. At each step he seeks a blessing for the bride. The marriage gets completed. The manthras recited mean: "You have become my companion, whereby I acquire your friendship. We shall remain together inseparable. Let us make a vow together, we shall share love, share the same food, share the strengths. We shall be of the same mind, we shall observe the vows together."
NALUNGU
During Nalungu, the ladies sing songs poking fun at the bridegroom and the in-laws. These events bring out many qualities of the bride and the groom-sporting spirit, kindness, strength, co-operative nature etc.Shortage of 30-guests? No way. We normally have the 'problem of plenty' only!!
4 comments:
This post is so beautifully written. Thank you for posting it.
hi this is very interesting, from which website you collected all the pictures and details.
Very well written :)
This is truly a great one and well written.
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