Asia » India » Bangalore By jelibeli101 June 28th 2007 jzdNavneet, the training manager at GK, invited me to his sister's wedding. So I accepted the invitation and bought myself a Mysore silk sari.
I just graduated from college in the USA and will be spending the next 1.5 years globe-trotting before I embark on a corporate career. First stop: Brazil.
Check out old blogs at: http://travelblog.org/Bloggers/PIBV-does-GK/
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The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab in...more info
Sarika weds AshokEvery wedding features one of the huge colorful signs made of flower.
New Friends at BreakfastNavneet introduced me to all his cousins and aunties and uncles and I hung out with them all day. This is us in the reception hall waiting for breakfest.
Navneet's Cousins Awaiting the Groom and his PartyThe entire bride's side gets to the temple first and awaits the arrival of the groom. Rumor had it the party was near by so everyone ran outside and music started playing.
The cousinsThese are some of Navneet's female cousins.
Groom and his ParentsThe parents come up to the altar for some mantras. His family is from Lucknow, in the north. All of the saris they wore were super gaudy and glittery.
Puja's Special IngredientsThese are all the things the priest uses while saying the mantras and blessing the couple. Mostly coconuts, rices, bananas, flowers and mints.
Flower NecklaceThey each have to put the necklace on the other person. But each of them tries to avoid it so its like a little game.
Blessed Tray This tray is brought around to all the guests and every one blesses it by touching the coconut and bowing their head.
Bride and her ParentsThey are Navneet's parents. They were so nice and gentle and funny.
Lunch!We ate lunch on a banana leaf. I dont even know what I ate but it was too much.
Happy CoupleEvery guest goes and takes a picture with the couple at the end.
Shoe TraditionThe bride's side takes the groom's shoes and hides them. After the ceremony he has to bargain with them to get them back.
Ashok's Cousin BargainingAfter all the ceremonies, Anshul wanted his shoes back. But he had to bargain. His cousin tried helping him out. You can see Anshul's hat (dont know the name) and Sarika.
$$$Anshul prepares to hand over 5,005 Rupees to Sarika's female family members. You never give in increments of 100 because it's considered bad luck.
Frenzied ExchangeBoth sides thought they were going to be cheated so everybody was grabbing at the money and the shoes. It got kind of messy.
AuntyAunty lives on the first floor of Vikash's building. I met her on my first day and told her I really wanted a sari and she got so excited so I had to go show her... she freaked out and made us come in for tea. and more tea.