Wedding Photos


Shalini takes a bath. The Vasantha Kaalu ceremony on May 26.	May 29: Shalini wears turmeric.	The Mehndi before it dries. Can you find our names?

The wedding hall.	The bridal party arrives.

The mehndi. Hands...	...and feet.	The groom arrives! The groom's side came to the hall by bus (2 of them) from another town 3 hours away after performing ceremonies of their own.

Welcomed by the bride's brother, Sharath.	The bride's parents welcome the groom by washing his weary feet.	Welcoming the in-laws. The bride's father garlands the groom's uncle.

"Hi, nice to meet you!"	Come on baby light my fire.	The family.

The Var Puja (Welcoming the Groom) ceremony begins. The groom's maternal uncle and aunt will perform all the ceremonies.	Ganesh in his new suit, a present from his in-laws	Shalini in her new sari, also a gift from her in-laws

Playing games to break the ice. After all, it's the first time we've met each other!		The bride's family presents the groom's family with small gifts.

The Wedding Day (May 30)


My uncle gives me a haircut. Just a little off the top!	Shalini and her family do their ceremonies...	... while Ganesh and his family do theirs.	The groom has to sit in front of the fire and perform rituals for several hours.

Wearing the second sacred thread	Ganesh's cousin-sisters get him all made up and ready to go. Where to?	To Kashi! The young man is about to go to Kashi to pursue an academic life. It's a long walk, so he's got a cane and umbrella.	Can't wait to get to Kashi!

The groom sets off on his journey...	but the bride's parents stop him. "Don't go, we have a beautiful daughter who wants to marry you." The bride's mother leads him back.	And I catch my ride back to the wedding hall.	With the bride's brother to hold my umbrella...

I'm traveling in style.	Everyone returns to the wedding hall.		The groom's feet are anointed.

The bride has been waiting patiently...	And is carried out to meet her groom by her uncles.	The groom's aunt helps her put on her toe rings, which symbolize marriage...	and they give her another sari.

A carved coconut with our wedding date.	The bride and groom greet each other.	Hi there!	Hi yourself!

Garlanding each other		The guests	The exchange of rings.

	The bride's relatives pour milk over a small idol placed on a coconut held by the couple.	This continues for 20 minutes as several relatives perform the ritual.	The religious ceremonies continue.

Guests throw rice as the groom ties the "mangalyam" or wedding necklace around the bride's neck.	It's not as easy as you think...	Done! The marriage has been solemnized.	But we're not done yet.

Preparing for the future family. Symbols of the children we're going to have... no pressure.	Rock-a-bye baby...	The groom holds the bride's toe as she walks the Saptapadi, or Sevel Steps.	Another game. The priest drops the wedding ring in the bucket and we have to see who gets it first. The game ends 1-1-1.

Are we done yet? No...	I show the bride a lucky star. She's not paying attention...	Just for fun, we ride the elephant...

Finally, at around 4:00, we can eat! I feed her	and she feeds me. Then, her cousins break papads on our heads.	Sharing a drink	We're Done!

	Everyone else is busy eating.