TamiAndCedricInIndia: A wedding to remember

We spent two fun days in Jaipur at a very traditional Rajput wedding where we were guests of the bride - my friend Rajdeep's daughter Urvashi. The wedding ceremonies went on for more than two days, but we weren't there for all of it. There were probably more ceremonies going on at the groom's home.

On the first day that we attended, the bride's family presented her with gifts (there was a lot more going on, but I don't understand it all) & then threw a dinner party for all guests of the bride.


Tami with the bride, Urvashi, who had that dagger with her all day.


Jhanja breaks tradition by making the parents of the bride dance together!

The second day was the wedding itself. It started off with the groom's baraat - only the men from the groom's side - visiting the bride's home (the wedding venue in this case) bearing gifts. They were warmly welcomed & were the guests of honor. Lunch followed. The baraat was late - really, really late - but no one seemed to mind at all.

Welcoming the baraat

The groom arrives.....

...with gifts

More gifts where the women were gathered.

Later in the evening, the baraat (just the men, again) came back for the wedding ceremony - and they came in style. In a very moving ceremony, the bride's family waited at the entrance for the groom's family - garlands in hand. The baraat came in accompanied by musicians & people on decorated horses & camels. And when the baraat got near, the bride's family & friends rushed forward to garland & greet the visitors. Very moving. I grabbed a few garlands and went to welcome them too.The groom, riding on an elephant brought up the rear.


The bride's side waiting with garlands

Welcoming the baraat


The groom arrives

Proud father of the bride.

Welcomed & led to the wedding ceremony

The wedding ceremony proceeded quite separately from all the revelry. It was attended by the bride's family & a couple of men from the groom's side. Some of our friends didn't even realize it was going on till too late.

The bride, groom, the bride's parents & the priests in the mandap.

Bride & groom with the priest in the foreground.

The Party.

I learned a lot, but this fact was surprising. The women from the groom's side are not at the wedding. There are historical reasons for this - the journey from the groom's home to the brides, was sometimes long and dangerous & it was better for the women to stay home. They also didn't want any bickering over the details of the ceremony. For this same reason, only a couple of the groom's side attend the actual ceremony - the rest are wined & dined and kept distracted - in the old day, with dancing women added to the mix.

A number of my friends from way, way back were there & it was so much fun reconnecting. Lots of laughter and reminiscing.