Read parts 1 and 2 of my trip to India here...
The grand finale of the wedding extravaganza consisted of the Varmala, Pheras and Vidaai ceremonies. As we were asked to wear traditional Indian dress, I had been sari shopping in Delhi. I was overwhelmed with the enormous choice on offer, but had to rein myself in as they are not cheap! I was dressed by a very patient shop assistant in sari after sari, eventually choosing one in woven turquoise silk with a beautiful red border. You are meant to have the top made from the end of the yardage of fabric but there wasn’t time - which is maybe just as well, as I am not sure my midriff was really up to being displayed!
The hosts of the wedding had generously laid on a beauty salon in the hotel for the guests over the full two days, so I popped down for help putting the sari on (it even took an expert about 20 minutes and I was in a queue of Indian women so wasn’t alone!) I watched a beautiful woman have her make up done, and I felt very inspired so I asked the make up artists to do mine afterwards, thinking it would be fun to have turquoise eyeshadow to match my sari. Of course it looked bloody terrible on me - but too late! I didn't have time to take it off, as I had to rush outside to see the groom arriving on his decorated elephant!
The groom’s procession was lined up in the road by the hotel, and by the time I got there, he had swapped from the elephant to a vintage Rolls Royce. There was a truck leading the way, blasting music at 100 decibels, with his family on board all dancing and waving their arms in the air with great gusto. They were followed by more drummers, and then a convertible Rolls Royce with revellers hanging off the car at every angle. The elephant took up the rear. Everyone was dancing with so much energy, it was hard to believe this was already 36 hours into the proceedings!
The mood was more sedate back at the beautiful palace wedding venue, with guests arriving in their finery. We all took our spots and Karan the groom waited on a little bridge for his bride, Tanvi. She arrived on the arm of Rajat her father, walking slowly and looking absolutely jaw dropping! Her red sari was sewn with gold threads and jewels, and she was covered in gems and flowers. In Hindu tradition, the red hue symbolises passion, love, prosperity and new beginnings, and is even connected to Durga, the powerful warrior goddess. The guest next to me told me that her own wedding dress had weighed 8kg… so no wonder Tanvi was walking slowly!
During Varmala, the couple exchanges floral garlands. The garland is typically made up of brightly-coloured jasmine flowers, roses or marigolds and symbolises the couple accepting one another into their families. As they placed the garlands around each other’s necks, fireworks went off around the grounds. It was a breath taking moment.
Both the bride and groom then walked to the Mandap which is the the four-sided covered structure used for the sacrament of Hindu marriage. It was heavily decorated with thousands of tuberose strings and smelt intoxicating. The ceremony begins with the priest chanting the prayers, and the wedding couple circle the fire seven times. The four sides of the Mandap represent the four earthly elements and the parents from both sides of the family, which are seen as the pillars of the new foundation forming in the marriage.
Whilst this was going on, the guests all mingled and ate from the overflowing buffet. There were of course curries galore, Mexican food, several stir fry areas, even a pizza oven producing pizzas that would rival Zia Lucia (my local amazing sourdough pizzeria in Islington!) There were chocolate fountains, fruit buffets and sweet cakes with brightly coloured icing. I continued my pastime of spotting beautiful saris, and took more photos although it was dark (and actually surprisingly chilly! who would have thought I would be cold in India and lucky I had one of my trusty cashmere shawls to wrap up in!)
The family was only allowed to eat after the ceremony finished at around 10.30pm. I can’t imagine how exhausted they must have all been…but did the festivities stop there?… OF COURSE NOT!We were all invited to the ‘Jungle disco’. Cue outfit number 6, which was not on the wardrobe planner I was sent! (Dress code 'animal print, feathers and sequins'.) Luckily I had brought one extra outfit just in case… I went upstairs to change with my friend Meg, who lay on the bed and instantly fell so fast asleep, I literally couldn’t wake her! I waited a bit and then went to the disco area at midnight to find I was only the second guest to appear, the other one being the only other British person at the whole event. There was a conveyor belt with shots going around, life-size papier mache zebras and mirrored monkeys on all the tables and of course...more drummers!
Everyone danced until dawn including the bride and groom (and me). It is now a week later and it might not surprise you to learn that I still haven’t recovered from it all!
I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to experience this once in a lifetime experience... although I am definitely open to further Indian wedding invitations!!
