On Thursday night was the Ladies Sungeet, and last night (Saturday) was the Shaddy (Wedding). I will try to explain what happened in as much detail as possible, but the ceremonies are pretty elaborate.
Firstly we drove aroound for awhile trying to find the place, then when we finally arrived we realised that all the Bride's side were there, but few of the groom's. Aparently in tradition the Groom's side make the Bride's side wait, so they usually arrive later, which means the program is supposed to start at 8pm and they won't arrive until 10pm.
No one seems to mind the fact the Groom isn't there though b/c there are stage performers and TONNES of food.Finally the Groom arrives on a horse, in this case a horse pull carriage. Apparently some joke that this is the Groom's last chance to run away- on the horse. The Groom's side of the family will come with the Groom, and dance, they'll have brass instruments playing songs, and a bangra drum, and they dance there way down the street, blocking traffic, setting off fireworks, and slowly making there way to the wedding.
As we were part of the Groom's side we went out and danced with the parade (Bharat) and slowly made our way to the celebration. It is mainly the boy's brothers etc that do most of the dancing and they will dance ALL night long.
Meanwhile the ladies side are waiting at the entrance to the celenration. When the Groom arrives they will try to get the Groom to give them money, and he will cut a ribbon seperating the two families and then they will dance some more. Slowly the Groom is ushered to his place under a canopy, while everyone else moves to the dance floor and continues to dance.
At this wedding there were stage performers, but no one really paid much attention to them, they were to busy dancing. This celebration puts any American wedding I've attended to shame. The place was huge, there were masses of people, food, drinks, entertainment. It was almost like a fair, not a wedding. So we danced, and danced some more, and by this point it's probably 12am, and I still haven't seen the Bride.
Finally the Bride arrives and is slowly ushered under the canopy with the Groom and EVERYONE gathers around to see them standing next to each other. The next couple hours are spent just taking pictures with the Bride and Groom. Everyone wants a picture with the Bride and Groom, and they just sit and wait.....At this point most people will start to go home.
When the Crowd finally started to calm down and the families started leaving the canopy I was able to get a better picture of the Bride and Groom. This whole time I didn't see the two talk to one another. The Bride tends to look down a lot, and has a sad look to her.
The Groom looked a little bored to be honest. I really don't blame him, because at their wedding, they don't get to participate in any of the dancing, or food. They're basically put on display for everyone elses enjoyment! I think the celebration is more for the families of the Bride and Groom. The Bride and Groom are adorned with bright colors, gold chains, money, and a bunch of other things that are given to them as part of the celebration. The Bride usually wears red, or a hot Pink, NOT white. White is the color of mourning here.
She will have Mehendi (Henna) on her hands and all kinds of jewelry on her head and face. At around 1am we were able to take our picture with the Bride and Groom, and shortly afterwards we decided to leave. I ended up getting home at around 2am. Close family will stay for the fire ceremony, where the couple will walk around the fire 7 times and the Pundit will do a religious ceremony, and throw stuff in the fire. The couple will finally be taken back to his house some time between 5 and 6am. Then the next day there are more festivities. I don't know exactly what happens on each day, but the whole wedding process takes about a week. The newly wed couple must sleep for a week after their wedding celebrations. I was only part of two days, and I'm exhausted, I can't imagine how they must feel after a week of sleep deprivation, and fesitivities. I am so glad I was able to go to this wedding it was a great experience, and such a fun time.
On the way home I was talking with a family and I commented that a wedding with all these people etc, must cost a fortune, and they said "From the moment a baby girl is born, they start saving for her wedding and dowry". Then I simply said "my dad has it easy!!!". Dad you better watch out, a couple more weddings like this and I'm gonna want a fair ground at mine!
On Thursday night was the Ladies Sungeet, and last night (Saturday) was the Shaddy (Wedding). I will try to explain what happened in as much detail as possible, but the ceremonies are pretty elaborate. 
Firstly we drove aroound for awhile trying to find the place, then when we finally arrived we realised that all the Bride's side were there, but few of the groom's. Aparently in tradition the Groom's side make the Bride's side wait, so they usually arrive later, which means the program is supposed to start at 8pm and they won't arrive until 10pm. 
No one seems to mind the fact the Groom isn't there though b/c there are stage performers and TONNES of food.Finally the Groom arrives on a horse, in this case a horse pull carriage. Apparently some joke that this is the Groom's last chance to run away- on the horse. The Groom's side of the family will come with the Groom, and dance, they'll have brass instruments playing songs, and a bangra drum, and they dance there way down the street, blocking traffic, setting off fireworks, and slowly making there way to the wedding. 
As we were part of the Groom's side we went out and danced with the parade (Bharat) and slowly made our way to the celebration. It is mainly the boy's brothers etc that do most of the dancing and they will dance ALL night long. 
Meanwhile the ladies side are waiting at the entrance to the celenration. When the Groom arrives they will try to get the Groom to give them money, and he will cut a ribbon seperating the two families and then they will dance some more. Slowly the Groom is ushered to his place under a canopy, while everyone else moves to the dance floor and continues to dance. 
At this wedding there were stage performers, but no one really paid much attention to them, they were to busy dancing. This celebration puts any American wedding I've attended to shame. The place was huge, there were masses of people, food, drinks, entertainment. It was almost like a fair, not a wedding. So we danced, and danced some more, and by this point it's probably 12am, and I still haven't seen the Bride.
Finally the Bride arrives and is slowly ushered under the canopy with the Groom and EVERYONE gathers around to see them standing next to each other. The next couple hours are spent just taking pictures with the Bride and Groom. Everyone wants a picture with the Bride and Groom, and they just sit and wait.....At this point most people will start to go home. 
When the Crowd finally started to calm down and the families started leaving the canopy I was able to get a better picture of the Bride and Groom. This whole time I didn't see the two talk to one another. The Bride tends to look down a lot, and has a sad look to her. 
The Groom looked a little bored to be honest. I really don't blame him, because at their wedding, they don't get to participate in any of the dancing, or food. They're basically put on display for everyone elses enjoyment! I think the celebration is more for the families of the Bride and Groom. The Bride and Groom are adorned with bright colors, gold chains, money, and a bunch of other things that are given to them as part of the celebration. The Bride usually wears red, or a hot Pink, NOT white. White is the color of mourning here. 
She will have Mehendi (Henna) on her hands and all kinds of jewelry on her head and face. At around 1am we were able to take our picture with the Bride and Groom, and shortly afterwards we decided to leave. I ended up getting home at around 2am. Close family will stay for the fire ceremony, where the couple will walk around the fire 7 times and the Pundit will do a religious ceremony, and throw stuff in the fire. The couple will finally be taken back to his house some time between 5 and 6am. Then the next day there are more festivities. I don't know exactly what happens on each day, but the whole wedding process takes about a week. The newly wed couple must sleep for a week after their wedding celebrations. I was only part of two days, and I'm exhausted, I can't imagine how they must feel after a week of sleep deprivation, and fesitivities. I am so glad I was able to go to this wedding it was a great experience, and such a fun time. 
On the way home I was talking with a family and I commented that a wedding with all these people etc, must cost a fortune, and they said "From the moment a baby girl is born, they start saving for her wedding and dowry". Then I simply said "my dad has it easy!!!". Dad you better watch out, a couple more weddings like this and I'm gonna want a fair ground at mine!
1 comment:
Wow! What a long process for getting married. And people think that waiting (like we do) is long:) I hope things are going well there for you. We talked about you at Busted Hoopty last week just so you know:) I can't wait to one day think and actually join you there in Asia. Talking about you oftenm, Donna
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