INDIAN WEDDING

 

We all wrapped ourselves in fine Indian fabrics like a present. The Sari’s in India are like a piece of artwork. The shining sequences intricately patterned in a delicate way with such craftsmanship. The women represent their culture with such class and elegance. For me, wearing that much fabric in that high heat is a little overwhelming but wow I can’t believe how beautiful they look. The shining bindi placed in the area of the third eye is so appropriate to not only the culture but the true glow of all the pranayama and meditation that has channeled this energy to this powerful center in the body. On females it represents the status of a married women.
My colleagues and I were invited to an Indian wedding. Dr summit a well known Ayurvedic doctor in Rishikesh was getting married. He is our Ayurvedic, Anatomy and Physiology teacher and he has so kindly invited us to his wedding.
Driving up to location we could see all the lights from afar .. Bright red Xmas lights and flashing ornaments. With big decorated white tents.. Very kitschy and flashy, borderline cheesy but hey that’s apparently the style. Red carpet event Indian style you could tell this party was of the higher class. There are a lot of people getting married around this time of the year, the date is very particular to the planetary positioning which is connecting Astronomy, Astrology, the birth time of the husband and wife and the positive matching of their horoscope.
We were pretty much the first to arrive. I’m guessing when it says 8 pm for food that is when everyone arrives because after all it’s all about the food.. Right??! So the second they opened up the food buffet tables it was an immediate jump first come first serve, no ok now your table goes, in any orderly North American fashion.. Nope none of that!! wow, people were grabbing for chipatis like it was the last one. I would say pretty much attacking each other for it!
The sweets table was a true work of art. The sweet rolls looked like sushi rolls. Incredible how much this country loves their sugar and sweets maybe this is why India has such a high rate of Diabetes. Anyways it was pretty to look at but not my thing. Now if there was chocolate there then I’d be all over it! So we danced and laughed and decided to leave seeing as we had to be up early for class. First wedding I’ve been to with no alcohol. On our way out, the groom finally arrived riding on a horse. People were surrounding him with cameras and firecrackers. He was like a prince awaiting his princess.
It was a wonderful cultural experience… We all took a jeep back to the ashram with full bellies and warm hearts.