Tags
Click on the link below to enjoy the experience vicariously:
Eat
I must admit that I did not have the pleasure of enjoying the traditional dinners at either the Mehndi or Reception events. Like Cinderella my coach was leaving close to midnight on both evenings and dinner was nowhere on the horizon of being served. I will say that the hors d’oeuvres I was able to enjoy were absolutely delicious.
Pray
I pray not only for the marriage of Anujj and Supriya as they begin their lives as one, but pray for marriages across the world. My prayer is for the marriages that exist and for the ones yet to come into fruition. May love, understanding, communication, and cooperation continue to be centered in God and may you continue to flourish as one.
Love
The hospitality extended while attending various events of this wedding was phenomenal. To be invited to a wedding means that someone in the family thinks highly of you and thinks of you as a blessing and your presence alone brings blessings to the marriage.
I also loved the fact that there were kind Indian women at the reception willing to help the American who has yet achieved the lesson in sari wearing. 🙂
Teach
Excerpts from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_wedding
I had already known that most Indian weddings were arranged but did not know all of the reasons that went behind this ritual. In India, marriage is treated as an institution, which teaches the actual values of life. Hindus believe that the basis of happy and fulfilling married life is the sense of unity, intimacy, and love between the husband and wife. Therefore marriage itself is not for self-indulgence rather a lifelong social and spiritual responsibility. It can be said that most westerners believe they find and marry their soul mate, whereas Hindus consider marriage an opportunity for two people to grow from life partners to soul mates.
How do arrange marriages work? A marriage is usually arranged by the respective parents of the bride and the groom and follows various steps. Marriage among Hindus is not only considered a union of two souls, but of two families. Although it is now illegal due to the 1961 Dowry Prohibition Act, some brides and bride’s families still pay a dowry which can consist of money, jewelry, furniture, household appliances etc. to secure the treatment of the bride and/or provide financial support. The dowry is a tremendous financial burden and has unfortunately birthed favoring to have sons and sex-selection abortions. Again, this practice is on the books as being illegal.
There are many ceremonies that are ritualistic followed by generation after generation which are steeped in the Hindu faith. Hindus believe that the wedding is the most import event in one’s lifetime and is therefore carried out with utmost sanctity and as an observer, I must add opulence! I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the activities I was able to attend and wish Anujj & Supriya all of the very best in their life as one!