The only Christian ceremonies that I have seen with as much fire as in the Hindu ceremony are ones where the bride’s hair or veil are lit off by the candles on the altar…
The Hindu wedding ceremony tradition is based in texts that are written in Sanskrit – and recited in the ancient language – lots of Om … Om… But we were provided with a book with the English translations. There are several traditions – tying of the knot – scarves are tied by the sisters, offerings are made in a sacred fire that is started by the bride and groom’s parents. There were some vows, not quite the standard western promises, but still the general tone was similar – love and cherish forever… And in the end, the bride and groom, all tied with a scarf and the fire in full form, had to walk around the fire 4 times, 3 times with the bride in front once with the groom in front, and after the final lap of the fire they would be man and wife.
The fire was going pretty good, but apparently there was plenty of room in the platform for them to walk around and then it was over.
Suresh (Ritu’s father) announced that even though it was Friday, in honor of the western visitors, there was meat and alcohol to celebrate the wedding while the family had pictures taken… We stood around tables and partook of lunch/dinner before we headed off to the reception.
then in lieu of the horse and cart that carried the groom to the wedding, a Mercedes Convertible was waiting to carry the wedded couple away, however, the engine was not turned on the men of the wedding party (Fathers, Uncles, Brother and Brother’s in law) pushed the car away from the wedding ceremony.
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