~Trespassers Prohibited 2 ~ Update 13,14: page 134 - Page 101

Panditji had been performing the 'dosh nivaaran' puja and invoking of Gods for the wedding ceremony. Everybody followed religiously.

Khanak and Shantanu stood a little away, once their role in the puja was over. They had completed their part and now the puja was being performed with their parents and brothers.

Khanak smiled to herself !!

Everything was perfect…………..as she had imagined……….as was her dream….

Her parents were there to bless them. Jai and Akshay were there to be with them. Dadi, Ragini and Samir were the people who supported them unconditionally……..all the loved ones were present to bless her wedding with Shantanu and these were the ones that mattered the most……….she felt lucky.

The only thing that was lacking was that she missed out on few important functions like – Mehendi, Sangeet, Engagement, Haldi………….

She twitched her lips thinking about it.

"What happened?" he asked, whispering slowly, sensing her uneasiness.

"I was just thinking how I missed on Sangeet, Mehendi, Engagement, Haldi……….so many functions…………..we are getting married without any proper preparation."

He was slightly irritated……….he had worked so hard to get to this stage and here she was whining for senseless functions……

"You are right," he turned to her to speak tersely, "We still have time………… to step back………….Is one year sufficient for you to prepare??"

She smiled, sensing his irritation in his words…..

"Jerk………….I am just not going to let you step back now …………. or go to Hyderabad without me……"

He smirked, "Good girl !! I think you should thank God, thank 'me'………..and thank 'dear google' for helping in finding solutions………. Otherwise I had started losing hopes…..."

"Yeah, I am thankful to 'all of you'…………. at least the marriage is happening………"

"Initially, almost everyone said that the problem in horoscopes is so strong that there is no puja for it………….like Ma's initial 2 preists said. But I didn't give up and talked to dozens of Panditji's……."

"Waaa-ooow!!" she exaggerated her admiration, raising a hand in awe, "Kyaa baat hai !! I am so impressed…………. I doubt if I can ever live up to this level of excellence……."

"You can't………….so don't try…………think about paying back…….."

"How?"

He didn't answer but simply looked at her intensely and then subtly he winked at her.

"Cheee !!!! May God forgive you for your deeds in temples and puja places."

"What did I do?"

"You know it…….."

They talked very slowly and no body could hear what they talked but still it was a constant source of buzz and they were the only two talking there, other than the preist chanting mantras.

They stopped for a while when Madhavi looked at them and 'Ssshhed' them. But were back to themselves after a while.

They resumed…………whispering slowly.

"Isn't it looking a little 'filmy'?"

"It is……………but I thought that you love filmy stuff…………..so why not." he teased.

She chuckled, "I do…………to be honest…………..and moreover, we are a special couple……. so why go for that routine and regular boring wedding…………"

"I agree…………at least I am saved from the torture of wedding shopping, functions, relatives, noise…………….Urgh !!!"

"I disagree……………..That part is fun………"

"It is not…………it is pain………."

"No, it is not…………..it is fun………"

"Pain."

"Fun."

"Pain."

"Fun."

Panditji turned to them in between his mantras and in the same tone as he recited mantras, he told them, "Kripya, baatein mat kijiye……"

Ma chided them, "You have your entire life to talk…………no one will disturb you, but right now………. focus here………….. We are here, just for you two……."

Both of them were embarrassed and shifted a little away from each other, focusing at the puja.

The initial puja's were completed and everybody stood up for the main wedding ceremony……….. 'Vivaah Sanskaar' !!

Ragini had informed her parents so by this time, Ragini's parents and Mr. Agarwal and his family including Khushboo arrived too.

Panditji instructed the families to start with the main ceremony which was to be started with mother of the bride welcoming the groom.

Shantanu looked extremely handsome in his crisp, spotless white shirt and blue jeans…… only that this attire was a little casual for the wedding. Ma looked at him and nodded to herself, smiling at how stubborn he was for getting things done his way.

The best part was that he almost always succeeded and everybody approved of what he did, wholeheartedly.

Ma carried haldi, kumkum, yoghurt and honey in an aarti thali and when she applied tilak on Shantanu's forehead, she was reminded of several instances when he had attended pujas and festivals at their home and she had applied tilak to him. Her blessings had always been with him and she had never imagined at that time, that she would be doing this to him when he came to take her daughter's hand as a future son-in-law.

She did aarti while rotating the thaali clockwise in front of him and love poured in each action of hers….……... He had always been a part of their lives since childhood and today they accepted him as a part of their family and as an integral part of Khanak's life……..the feeling itself overwhelmed her with contentment.

She was proud to have him as Khanak's life partner and she was relieved that she could peacefully give all responsibilities of her daughter to him knowing very well that he would perform it better than anyone could imagine.

She took a spoon of yoghurt and honey and as she offered it to him, he sighed…….. remembering the numerous times, Ma had made food for him……….his favourite dishes, and fulfilled his demands……. and when they were very young, she even used to feed him with her hands, making Jai and Khanak feel jealous.

He bent down and touched her feet and she placed her hand on his head……..at the same time, holding his shoulder with another hand, as he got up, she said, "These wedding ceremonies are not just simple rituals………... they are the backbone of our families, values and relationships ………follow the steps whole heartedly and adhere to them for your entire life ……… to all the promises that you make today."

"I assure you Ma………….none of the promises made by me will prove false or insincere. I will stick to them as I would…. to my life."

She smiled with a small tear in her eye and kissed his forehead.

Ragini had tied Khanak's loose hair with a thin 'mogra' strand and then placed a lot of flowers in her hair giving her a typical bride's look. Ma had brought a long red coloured lace chunri with herself and handed it over to Ragini, who placed it over Khanak's head after decorating her hair.

Ragini and Samir brought Khanak in front of Shantanu. She looked angelic and pristine in her mustard chiffon saree with a red border, the traditional wedding attire of the Sharma clan ……her gold jewellery, given by Ma before they started for Rishabh's wedding, gave her an ethnic look………mustard and red glass bangles on her mehendi covered hands made a tinkling sound………. her hair tied with several strands of flower gajras and covered with a chunri………completed the bridal look for her.

Shantanu observed her, head to toe and felt that she had never looked prettier than this ….. this picture of her was one that he had always imagined in his dreams !!

Panditji started with the Vivaah Sanskaar ………….and explained them every step of the wedding ceremony with the importance of each……..He asked them to proceed for the Jaimala as a formal acceptance of each other for the marriage to be taken place.

They faced each other and were given rose garlands for Jaimala.

When Panditji asked them to put it across each other's neck………..both of them raised their hands at the same time and couldn't complete the ritual. Everybody laughed ………. embarrassing the couple.

Jai got his own moment for teasing, "There is no need to hurry guys………..now, we will go from here only after the wedding is performed……..so take it easy and one at a time ……… please……"

Shaan gritted his teeth at him and Jai laughed again, "Hey, don't you dare try to scare me… I'm bride's bro."

There had been innumerable moments when the friends had stood up for each other, shared their secrets, talked about their feelings, job aspirations, dreams, let downs and hopes…… they had argued, they had teased, they had fought and even beaten each other but there always remained a strong bond……….of trust and togetherness………..they knew they were always there, for each other….………..and today they were taking a step ahead in their friendship……….they were going to be relatives now and to be tied very strongly in yet another bond……….. through the girl they loved the most.

Jai smiled warmly and Shaan responded back.

Panditji, then, asked Khanak to do it first and as she stepped ahead and raised her hand to garland him, there were calls from Samir and Akshay for Shantanu to raise his chin, so as to make it difficult for her but Shantanu did not pay attention and bowed his head to make it easy for her.

Next, he followed and did the same………..by putting the garland across her neck and he couldn't miss observing that she lowered her eyes for a moment and sighed………. taking a deep, relaxed breath of happiness……….bliss on her face was clearly evident.

He smiled at this, observing her keenly and waited for her to raise her eyes to let her know that he was looking at her. She did and their eyes met……….communicating in their own language.

After Jaimala, Ma placed a pink cloth in his neck and Panditji asked them to take the place in front of the holy fire.

They slowly sat down………….. side by side.

Everybody else sat down too………..around them.

Samir had been clicking pictures with his Sony Cybershot………Khanak felt like saying something but stopped herself nearly 2-3 times.

Shantanu slowly bent his head sideways towards her and whispered, "Do you want to say something?"

"Ask Samir to take pics properly………he sometimes, forgets to adjust the flash……. And switch on the 'red eye correction'……….."

He looked at her in awe and raised his eyebrows.

"What?" she whispered………surprised at the response.

"It seems two perfectionists are getting married today……."

She frowned bringing her eyebrows together and narrowed her eyes to stare at him …….. and he smirked.

Panditji looked at them and while tying the holy thread on their wrists and chanting mantras, chided them using his eyes and nodded in a 'no' asking them not to talk and concentrate.

Once the ceremony started, both of them became serious and followed every step and chant religiously………….. paying attention to the 'words'…….affirming earnestly and genuinely ……… to abide by every promise they make ……….to each other ……… and to their parents !!

Panditji performed the SarvGrah Puja…………Lord Ganesh, nine planets, Varuna, Main Kalash, Sun and Kula Devatas were invited and worshipped.

{ Hindu wedding Ceremony is an elaborate and complicated one with regional differences and different rituals according to castes………..I am just writing relevant major steps and the vows and promises in English !! }

Panditji recited shlokas and mantras and asked them to repeat after him while performing the rituals…

Ma and Papa came forwards for the Kanyadaan.

Shantanu stretched his right hand ahead and opened his palm…………Ma, papa took Khanak's mehendi covered right hand and gave it in his open palm…………..

At this moment, both Shantanu and Khanak looked at each other………….and they were reminded of the day……….almost 7 years back………on terrace……… when he had asked her for her hand for the first time……… stretching his hand and opening his palm and she had slipped her hand in his……… without even thinking twice about it…….

The time was different then and but feelings even today were still the same…………..the age was different but the exhilaration was still the same………

He had touched her for the first time then…………….and since then they had come a long……… long way but their commitment was still the same !!

It was unspoken then…………….but, it was in form of a promise today !!

Papa spoke the translation of mantras following the Panditji, asking Shantanu to take care of Khanak as he was giving his daughter to him in form of a responsibility.

This was followed by Paanigrahan……acceptance of her hand by Shantanu.

Shantanu held Khanak's hand, followed Panditji's words and spoke his part with utmost sincerity, "I, Shantanu Khandelwal, hold your hand unto mine…………for life long commitment and prosperity of household life. May you attain full age with all happiness and opulence……… with me as your husband. The creator of this universe and master of all prosperity, God almighty, in presence of your parents, is giving you to me for the fulfillment of household life's attainment and obligation. I promise that I will take full responsibility of you including your protection."

He repeated three times that he will not fail her at any step in realizing life's three ends - Dharma, Artha, Kama !

Panditji sprinkled turmeric on Khanak's hand and explained that this signified her status change from being a 'Sharma' to a 'Khandelwal' now !!

Khanak had always dreamt of the addition of Khandelwal to her name…………

And when she heard it becoming true today………….it thrilled every cell in her body ………..she was still unable to believe that she was going to be called a 'Khandelwal' now and her name will always be taken with Shantanu's name.

Ragini stepped ahead and tied a loose end of Khanak's saree's pallu and one end of the pink cloth around Shaan's neck to form a knot…….Panditji placed some raw rice in the knot signifying prosperity and sacredness.

Panditji performed the elaborate puja offering samagree in the holy fire, chanting shlokas, mantras, praying to Gods for their happy married life and blessed them.

'May you always stay together………..……May you never be separated !! May you encompass a long life, and be happy in your own house with children and grandchildren !! May the bride be the Queen of her family and May the groom be the King !! Oh Lord, bestow on them the good wishes so that they can bring up good children !!'

This puja lasted for a lot of time and included a long ritual……..with Ma, papa on one side and Sunil, Madhavi on other side of the couple.

After this, Jai took some baked rice and gave in Khanak's hands and she passed it to Shantanu and together they offered it to the holy fire. They repeated this three times and it symbolized her final leaving of her parent's family to enter the family of her husband.

It was the time for Khanak to say with utmost sincerity, "I drop these grains of roasted paddy in this holy fire to pray for my husband's long life, prosperity and progress. May there be immense affection between you and me for each other. May the members of our families and relatives flourish and progress too and remain happy forever. May this sacred fire be the source of strength to help me separate from my parents' family and join my husband's family but it should not make me separated from my husband."

Ma, papa and Jai became emotional at this part.

This was a strange moment where they were sad on letting go a part of their family…….. a part of their lives and a part of their existence to go away to live with her new family ….. At the same time, they were happy for her to have gained love and respect from a responsible partner and his family…………what every girl's parents dream for…..

Panditji asked Shantanu and Khanak to stand up for the main ceremony that is called Saptapadi ………….the major ritual without which a marriage is incomplete……..

They were supposed to take seven rounds around the nuptial fire…… making seven promises to each other…….. seven vows of marriage………..

Panditji explained to them, "You should not only chant the vows, but also must strongly believe in them and try to follow the assurances and promises made to each other, verbatim in your married life. It is only then you will witness love, affection, trust and prosperity growing among yourselves in leaps and bounds. No force can defeat you if you stand by these promises. Abiding by, of these vows, highlights the integrity of an individual…………..strength of the character……….. and belief in values."

They understood and stood up for the 'pheras'…….

During this time, Panditji chanted various hymns from Hindu scriptures……. Offered samagree in Yagya agni and asked Shantanu to lead in first four rounds taking the rounds clockwise……..

Seven circles of rice were made around the fire and Shantanu took a step with his right foot forwards with Khanak following through.

So lost were they in each other that after some time, they did not even realize that there were people around them. Everybody sat and watched them in awe…………as this was one couple who looked totally in love………..who took each vow solemnly and with deep intensity. It was a sight to be appreciated……. Ragini held Jai's hand in delight and leaned her head on his shoulder.

After each round they recited their part of the promise/ vow as instructed by Panditji……

After panditji spoke, they followed and repeated after him.

After taking their first round…….

Shantanu – "Our love becomes firm with you walking one round about the ceremonial fire with me. I promise to cherish you and take up the responsibility of providing for the food and welfare of you and our children."

Khanak – "This is my humble submission to you, that when you give me the responsibility of the home, food and taking care of the household activities, I promise to you that I shall discharge all responsibilities for welfare of the all family members and children."

When they moved for the second round after this vow, he was reminded of how she would just guess that he was hungry, cooked for him and cared for his small little things ……..she was reminded of how he took upon himself whenever things troubled her. She couldn't have handled her framing in a new company, if he had not stayed by her.

After the second round………

Shantanu – "My beloved, now you have walked the second round with me, please fill my heart with strength and courage, and together we shall protect the household and children."

Khanak – "In your grief, I shall fill your heart with courage and strength……….. In your happiness, I shall rejoice……… and I promise you that I will please you always with sweet words and take care of the family and children. In return, promise to love me alone as your wife."

She had been with him when he needed her, she had given him strength when he wanted to take a decision of moving to Hyderabad. She had stood by him when Ma was upset at him. Even, he had thought of her happiness first, whether it was his wish when he wanted her to stay with him, but he gave up his stubbornness, just to see her happy. He tried to hide his pain everytime he saw her smiling with joy. They remembered the times spent in Mumbai.

After the third round…………..

Shantanu – "You shall be the only woman to whom I shall love and respect as my wife. Together, we will educate our children. Our wealth and prosperity is going to grow with both of us supporting each other."

Khanak – "I will love you with single-minded devotion as my husband. I will treat all other men as secondary. My devotion to you shall be of a chaste wife and you shall be my joy. This is my commitment to you."

She need not say this…………he was the one and only, since she had known what love was. Since teenage and afterwards………..she had never thought of another man even in wildest of her dreams. He had loved her as a part of himself………cared for her and even when he talked to other women, he could never give the place he had reserved for her to anybody, ever.

After the fourth round……….

Shantanu – "It is a great blessing that you have walked four steps with me. You have brought auspiciousness and sacredness into my life. May we be blessed with noble children."

Khanak – "May both of us acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect, understanding and faith. I promise to serve and please you in any manner that makes you happy."

With every promise, with every round around the sacred fire, they were reminded of their times spent with each other, their talks, their banters, their love, their togetherness, their caring and sharing and above all, their need to be with each other………..for each other.

Khanak took the lead in the last three pheras………..

After the fifth round……….

Shantanu – "May all our near and dear ones live long and prosper. May we expand our clan by bearing children and be responsible for who they are."

Khanak – "I will share equally in your joys and sorrows. Your love will make me trust and honour you. I promise to carry out all your wishes."

He smirked at this and used his eyes to tease her at the last part when she said that she will fulfill all his wishes. She sniffed and blushed.

After the sixth round………….

Shantanu – "I promise to exert self-control of the mind, body and soul and pray for the longevity of our marital relationship. May you always fill my heart with joy and peace."

Khanak – "I promises to participate with you in all acts of righteousness, in material prosperity and in every form of enjoyment and divine acts….I shall always be with you."

She had been with him in his every decision………without thinking twice she had said 'yes' to his marriage proposal……….not even sure whether their parents will approve………she just trusted him……..to get married in the most simplistic way. She had wanted a grand wedding but she didn't even wince once when he asked her marry him like this.

He promised to her parents and her that he will strive hard for the stability of their marriage…………and she knew that Shantanu Khandelwal will go to any extent to live upto his promises !!

After the seventh round…………

Shantanu – "Sweetheart, as you have walked the seven rounds with me, our love and friendship became eternal. We experienced spiritual union in God. Now you have become completely mine, therefore I offer my life to you. Our marriage shall be forever and ever. Be my best friend forever."

Khanak – "As per the Vedic rituals, in presence of God and Holy Scriptures, I have become your spouse. Whatever promises we have made, we have spoken in pure mind. We will be truthful to each other in all things. We will love and honor each other for ever and ever and ever."

After this, they sat down once again. Panditji asked them to hold each other's hand by their heart and speak together, "O lord! Dwelling in every heart……. May our aim be identical…….. and our hearts united……….. May our minds be one………….May our thought be identical……..May we attain the destiny of life together and May we live together in concord."

"Hriday Sparsham performed," said Panditji.

A wide smile spread on everybody's face as this part completed the main part of the ceremony. With the last phera and these last words, Khanak left the Sharma household forever to adorn and glorify the Khandelwal household.

Everyone congratulated each other. Jai and Akshay hugged each other and Samir too.

Panditji asked for mangalsutra and Shantanu, for once, became clueless.

Madhavi spoke, teasing him, "Shaan, you are so particular about everything………… … you arranged for your wedding yourself. How did you forget the mangalsutra? What will you tie around her neck now?"

"Gosh !! Now what?" His brain started working overtime thinking about a solution.

"Don't worry……………..I have brought a mangalsutra with me." She opened her purse to take out a diamond pendant in black and gold beads.

"When did you buy it mom?"asked Akshay.

"Just a while ago……………before coming here. He gave such a short notice………we couldn't even look for proper designs. I knew that you won't have thought about it." She spoke while going near him and gave it to him.

"Wow !!" he said.

"Savita knows you very well, but I am your mom too………….even I know a little bit." She spoke.

He smiled sheepishly, took the mangalsutra and stretched his hands to put it around Khanak's neck. Ragini helped Khanak with the flowers and chunri taking them on one side while he tied the mangalsutra around her neck.

He looked into her eyes doing this …………and she didn't remove her eyes away and let them hold his for a while. The intensity in their eyes spoke of the times they had spent pining for each other…… spending days counting hours for each phone call.

The six years of pain and wanting to talk to each other but circumstances playing tyrant, not letting them even communicate.

The difficult times in last 1 year, when they fought, patched up, were insecure and communicated what they felt, when every time they thought that they were about to lose each other forever…….

But kept holding on to hope…………to faith………and to a trust they had…….. on God and on each other.

These ceremonies today made them emerge winners defeating every tough time and hard circumstance that they faced in last 7 years.

Finally, Panditji gave him deep maroon coloured vermilion (sindoor). He took it and turned towards her……..the ecstasy on her face was only to be savoured…….the sight was blissful………..he closed his eyes for a moment……..and when he opened them, he saw her smiling widely showing off her glistening teeth……..her sparkling eyes radiated a warmth and he smiled too………he raised his hand to reach her hair partition and she slightly bowed her head to make it easy for him. This time she closed her eyes as he filled her partition with sindoor with some powder dusting over her nose, symbolizing eternal love, prosperity and happiness.

There was a permanent ecstasy on their faces as Panditji declared that they were now,

'Husband & Wife'……..!!!

…………………………………………………………………….