AISHWARYA weds ABHISHEK^^Party time^^ - Page 2

Groom Abhishek Bachchan lifts his veil for a brief moment before alighting from the bus and heading toward 'Prateeksha'.

Bollywood's most anticipated wedding was finally formalised today (April 20). Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai and Bollywood heartthrob Abhishek Bachchan are now officially husband and wife.

The two stars exchanged nuptial vows at a colourful but extremely private ceremony today. Abhishek (31) and Aishwarya (33) entered into wedlock in a north Indian style ceremony with the golden couple exchanging garlands at Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan's family home "Prateeksha" in Mumbai.

Abhishek set off on a short journey from his suburban residence Jalsa to fetch his bride Aishwarya Rai, marking the start of their elaborate wedding. The traditional 'baraat' started at around 5 pm with Abhishek riding a colourfully decorated white horse and his nephew Agastya -- his sister Shweta Nanda's son -- sitting in front of him.

Dressed in a gold-embroidered white sherwani and with his face covered with a frill of flowers, Bollwyood's "Bunty" set
forth with family and friends led by his illustrious father Amitabh.

As the accompanying musical band played popular songs from Abhishek's movies like "Kajra Re" and evergreen tunes such as "Aaj Mere Yar Ki Shaadi Hai", the groom waved to multitudes of fans and onlookers who had gathered outside Jalsa, eliciting crazed cat-calls and shrill whistles.

Amitabh Bachchan looks a little worried and tired as he looks on standing amidst an ocean of guests and the security people outside his Jalsa residence.

While male members of the 'baraat' wore saffron turbans, the women were clad in richly embroidered sarees in dazzling colours. Earlier, all the 'baraatis' or members of the wedding procession boarded six luxury buses that took them to Prateeksha, the Bachchan family's other residence, where the wedding was solemnised.

The who's who of India's rich and famous including movie stars, top industrialists and politicians graced the occasion. They included Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Kajol and close friends of the Bachchans, Anil and Tina Ambani and Amar Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, J P Dutta, Vasu Bhagnani, Ajay Devgan, musicians Ayan and Aman Ali Bangash, Yash Chopra and Karan Johar were among the 'baraatis'.

Even as the party prepared to leave for the evening's ceremony, organisers of the function treated the eagerly waiting journalists outside Jalsa to refreshments. The three-day private wedding celebrations had started with a sangeet on Wednesday.

A few fans perch themselves on a tree opposite Jalsa to catch a better view of the star studded 'baraat'.

Priests from Benares conducted the rituals. The ceremony held on the auspicious day of 'Akshay Tritiya' climaxed three days of festivities starting from a sangeet function on Wednesday (April 18) and the traditional Mehndi ceremony on Thursday (April 19).

The function was held at a huge air-conditioned pandal in a garden adjoining the Bachchan's family home. Red and pink flowers, encircled by gold and green curtains covered the tent.

Heavy security has been deployed for the function which is expected to go on till late tonight. Police had a tough time keeping away hundreds of curious onlookers and had to resort to a mild lathicharge near "Prateeksha".

Following the wedding ceremony, the bride will be going back to her residence Le Mer apartment in Bandra later on Friday (April 20) from where the tradition 'bidaai' will take place on Saturday, according to the sources.