The wedding party
Well, I've been to the Hindu wedding party I said about recently. I wish I'd taken my camera, but I'll have to make do with memories instead.
I reckon there must have been between 200-300 people there, and I was only one of three English people.
I don't know what you call an Indian 'Vicar' equivalent, and unfortunately I couldn't understand what he was saying and chanting.
The immediate family of the happy couple were sitting up on a stage, their chairs had white drapes over them with a purple sash wrapped round it. Pretty.
A small fire was lit on stage, which some sat crossed legged around, and the 'vicar' kept spooning something onto it to keep the flames going. There were incense sticks burning and lots of bright colours everywhere, and unusual smells wafting about.
What struck me as really strange, was although the young groom was there, his fiance wasn't. Apparently she doesn't attend that day. I will find out why when I ask at yoga next week. The festivities are spread over three days culminating with the actual wedding ceremony tomorrow.
When all that part of the ceremony was over, lunch was served. I haven't idea what everything was, but it was very tasty. We got about 8 or 9 little amounts of assorted things, plus some seeds in a packet to eat afterwards to cleanse the palette. No alcohol.
So different to how we do things, (no booze for a start), but very interesting.
After lunch, the music and dancing started, again, very different to our parties. For a start, I didn't see any of the smoochy type dancing that often occurs after a few drinks, they sort of formed a big circle, no touching and groping! Everyone behaved impeccably.
However, it was ear-splittingly loud so some of us left earlier than others.
All the ladies, whatever age, from little children to old ladies, all looked gorgeous in the splendid array of colourful sari's and sparkles, and all dripping gold jewellery! I felt very plain!