Posted:
A/N: Finally! I've been jumping up and down while working on this chapter! I have skipped a few rituals though, please don't mind! I hope you like the chapter (I hope I've done justice to it!). So here it is!
DO NOT COPY THIS POST AS THIS IS EXCLUSIVE TO INDIA FORUMS
PS: Please do like and comment! I love reading your comments! 😊
Part 14 (b)
Chagan closed the door and made his way to the passenger side, after signalling the driver. A camera man, who they hadn't noticed till now, was continuously clicking pictures. Just then, Sheetal aunty thrust a plate with a *kalash* onto Ragini.
"This is a custom here. The groom's sister has an important role, called *kalash githi*. You are expected to be beside Suraj at all times." She explained.
Ragini smiled. "Even without this, I would never leave Bhaiya's side," she said. The women shared a hearty laugh, and Ragini proceeded to sit beside Suraj in the car, as Sheetal aunty went toward the next one in line. Ragini held onto the *kalash* carefully, not letting it move as she got in. Chagan helped her in, closing the door after her, and they finally set off.
It was a short drive to the temple. The groom's side arrived at the entrance at sharp 6.50 a.m., and immediately, they were flocked by the members of the bride's side. There were a few women who had come to the temple that morning and joined in to help them in the auspicious occasion, out of pure choice really. Beside them were Suvreen's parents, Priya, Surbhi and then Suvreen and Yuvi, both of them jumping as they saw Suraj getting down. Yuvi was excited to see Suraj that day, since he hadn't seen him for the past couple of days. Suvreen, however, was excited cause Yuvi was excited. She hadn't seen Suraj, after all.
Yuvi ran towards him, and Suraj picked up the boy easily, kissing his forehead. "Hey there, Champ," he greeted and Yuvi giggled. Presently, Mr. and Mrs. Bhat came forward, Mrs. Bhat holding an aarti thaali. Mr. Bhat shook hands with Suraj. "Good to finally meet you, Suraj. I'm Chakor's ex owner," he said, smiling kindly.
"Oh," Suraj said, eyebrows raising.
Mr. Bhat beamed at him. "She's been staying at our place for a long time now, and I've come to think of her as my own daughter. Today, finally my dreams are being fulfilled! Even if just for a day, I'm going to be her father," he said, and Suraj smiled wide.
Mrs. Bhat came, smiled, nodding her head toward him, as she circled the aarti thaal. A coconut was broken to the side, and turning, he saw Rishab, grinning as he got up after breaking the coconut.
"Supposed to ward off evil," he said as he hugged Chagan before coming toward Suraj. "Welcome, Jeeja ji!" He exclaimed, earning a round of laughter. The other women along with Suvreen's mother proceeded to welcome the other members, as Mr. Bhat escorted Suraj inside.
The drums and the *nadaswaram* were played the minute Suraj kept his right foot inside, following him as he walked towards the mandap. Priya smiled as she walked along with Ragini. She too held a *kalash* in her hand, and both were matching, wearing pink, though different outfits. Priya wore a langa davani (or a langa voni in Telugu), as did Surbhi. She helped Ragini with her duties, since she too had more or less the same ones.
"Do you want to see Chakor?" Priya asked, and Ragini nodded her head vigorously. It was 7.00 now, and the priests had arrived around two minutes back, and after a brief introduction, most of them had started to prepare the mandap, while the head priest stayed back to talk to Mr. Bhat and Suraj. At first, Suraj found it hard to keep up with the local dialect, but the priest was kind enough to speak in English. "Don't worry, Young man, I'll explain each and every ritual as we conduct them." The old man said.
Ragini followed Priya as she led her to Chakor's room. Surbhi, meanwhile, was trying to catch Rishab's attention.
"Rishab, Rishab!"
No reaction.
Chagan came and poked him from the side.
"OWWW!" Rishab screamed. "What?!"
"She's been calling you for over a minute now." Chagan said simply, as if completely innocent. Rishab turned towards Surbhi, sheepish. Surbhi smirked.
"Oooh. So THAT'S your girl. Very pretty," she said cheekily, and Rishab turned red. "You were saying something?" He tried to change the topic.
"Yeah, since you're taking the role of Chakor's brother, there are certain things you need to do..." and she walked away with Rishab, while Chagan looked around, going to check whether everything was alright.
Presently, Ragini and Priya entered the Bride room.
"Do I look alright?" Was the first thing they heard as they stepped in. "My God, Bhabhi, you look gorgeous!" Ragini exclaimed as she ran to hug Chakor. Indeed, Chakor looked beuatiful in her royal blue and magenta saree. Her hair was pulled back into a French braid, adorned with flowers. The small gold jhumkas along with the two simple gold chains further enhanced her beauty. The mehendi on her hands didn't go unnoticed by Ragini. It was a dark red, turning darker by the minute. Ragini was confused about when that had happened, for Chakor didn't have any mehndi on the previous day.
"Exactly. Listen to your sis in law. Now where's that kajal?" Another woman said, looking around. "This is Vishu," Priya said, coming forward. "Short for Vaishali. She's Surbhi's sister. She's handling the make up department." Priya smiled at how both Chakor and Ragini didn't let go of each other, looking around while their hands were wrapped around each other. Vishu smiled at Ragini, before continuing to search for the kajal. "She's the one who applied Chakor's mehendi as well, and at 5 in the morning too!" she added as she saw Ragini looking at Chakor's hands.
"4:30," Chakor corrected. "She wouldn't let me go without it. The pain when your friend is a make up pro," Chakor said solemnly, only to get an "Oye!" from Vishu, who was bent over her make up kit. "Vishu, please lets skip the kajal," Chakor pouted. "No one asked for your opinion. Listen to your elders, seriously." Vishu chided. "You're just 2 months older than me," Chakor rolled her eyes. "But STILL elder. Aha!" Vishu exclaimed as she found the kajal. "And darling, I'm not SURAJ who'll listen to you," she joked, and Chakor turned beet red, stuttering for words, while the other two laughed. "Bhaiya's gonna be flat seeing you today," Ragini smiled.
"Hopefully not, dear. She's gonna be wearing better and better sarees, so we can't have your brother fainting at the very first one."
Chakor snorted at Vishu's joke. "He'll surely make it to the suhaagraat, don't worry," Rishab defended as he entered. The women giggled as Chakor blushed again.
"Time for your entry, Dulhan rani," he winked.
Back at the mandap, it had been decided that Chagan's parents would help Suraj in performing the initial rituals, while Chakor, along with Mr. and Mrs. Bhat, would do the same, a bit away from them. Suraj had failed to see Chakor when she passed by him, and could not get a glimpse of her afterward, mostly because he had to perform the rituals as well, and also because he couldn't see her when she was seated between the Bhats.
Chagan had come from behind, telling him not to worry and that he could always see her in the photographs. Ragini, who had come to sit beside them as the *kalash githi*, added that Chakor was looking very beautiful, dragging the very, teasing Suraj as he had missed an opportunity to see her.
The initial rituals started, first being the Ganapati Puja, and the priest explained that Ganapati, the God of Initiation, was invoked to keep away all impediments.
Next was the Nandi Devata Puja. To propitiate, or please the several presiding deities, that is the Nandi devatas, five Sumangalis would wash, with milk, the feet of the other women. Following this, a saree and a dhoti was gifted to the married couple.
The last was the Navagraha Puja, which was done to propitiate the nine astral planets, that ruled over a man's destiny. The priest explained each and every detail, and Suraj was immensely happy at that. He, however, missed a chance to see his bride again, as she was ushered in to her room to change. He was to go change as well, he was told, for the Vara Puja.
Suraj opted for a casual sherwani this time, an ink blue one with a white shalwar bottom. He wore a long gold chain on top, and another ring on his left hand. His new watch enhanced his look. Ragini tried to match with him, with her ghagra: A royal blue top, with a rani pink skirt and an off white veil. Since it was a high neck top, she chucked wearing a necklace, wearing chandelier earrings instead. Her hair was pulled up into a bun, decorated with a hair accessory, courtesy of Vishu. Chakor wouldn't be coming till the next few wedding rituals were over, she was told. Ragini couldn't see Chakor now, since she had to be beside Suraj for the next few rituals. She pouted, but nodded.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure your Bhabhi looks great for the muhurtham," Vishu smiled at her. "Let's all change together next time. Probably after Kashi Yatra. I'll take you with me, don't worry." She winked at her, and Ragini nodded. It suddenly seemed like she was getting so many elder sisters to look after her, and she felt elated. Not that her Bhaiya didn't do justice in taking care of her, he did. But it was the first time Ragini was experiencing another woman's care, since her grandmother had passed away. She had never seen her mother as well. In her mind, she had already created a hundred different scenarios about Chakor and herself, and how they would be, together. Another woman would finally be coming into the Rajvanshi family, Ragini thought cheerfully.
(NOTE: The bride does come to welcome the groom during the Vara Puja, but I've skipped that.)
The sibling duo set out to the main mandap. Sheetal aunty applied a *dhristi chukki* on Suraj's cheek, saying, "Kisi ki nazar na lage," before walking with them to the mandap. Suraj sat down on the *mane*, and his feet were washed with milk, and wiped using a silk cloth. The women again did an aarti, singing songs of praise, Suraj handing over money to them.
(It's a custom that the person gives money to the person who's doing the aarti.)
Suraj was then presented with new clothes from Mr. And Mrs. Bhat, as Chakor's parents. Ragini was also given a saree, as the groom's sister.
It was around 8.15 now, and the priests told Suraj and the others to have their breakfast before starting the muhurtham rituals.
Chakor's breakfast was sent to her room, since she was dressing up. Yuvi and Suvreen appeared suddenly, they had been missing since Suraj had arrived. "They were playing around the back," Mr. Guggal smiled at Suraj, following with his introduction. "Papa Yuvi can sit with you?" Yuvi asked as Suraj nodded. "Didi so pretty!" Suvreen exclaimed, looking at Ragini. It was just the four of them, since Mr. Guggal had walked ahead to the dining hall. "Yuvi know Didi?" Suvreen asked. "Yes!" Yuvi answered, and then stopped. He remembered seeing Ragini, though drowsy yesterday, but he didn't know who she was.
It was at this time, that Rishab entered. "This is Ragini, Suvreen," he said, smiling. "She's Yuvi's BuaaaHHH ji," Ragini had pinched him, hard, when he had told Bua. Rishab looked at her, shocked. Suraj chuckled lowly, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he tried to control his laughter. "Just call me Didi," Ragini smiled at Suvreen.
"Didi you very pretty," Suvreen said again. "Me too wanna be pretty like Didi. Suvi too get married!" She exclaimed. "And Yuvi dress up too! Yuvi and Suvi get married!"
"Yes!" Yuvi nodded his head vigorously, holding Suvreen's hand as they walked away with Ragini, who was a bit taken aback at the moment.
That left just Suraj and Rishab, and the former hit the latter. "Owww! Why are all the Rajvanshis attacking me today?"
Suraj pulled him close. "My son. 5 years old. FIVE. Already has his first girl friend who wants to marry him." He said proudly, before looking at Rishab with a downcast look. "And then there's you," he said shaking his head. "Meri kya galti hai? Your sister is just so intimidating!" "You should have thought that before falling in love," Suraj sing songed as he made his way to the dining hall.
Suraj finished his breakfast soon, leaving to change into his final wedding attire. The others took a bit longer.
Chakor, meanwhile, was running around her room, searching for her kamar bandh. Mrs. Bhat came in with the girls at that moment. "Oh my," she gasped as she saw Chakor, her eyes be coming watery. "You look beautiful, dear." She said, unable to control her tears.
The girls let them have a moment, before Vishu came in. "No no no no, no crying business now. Save the waterworks for later. We don't want the make up to spoil," she said strictly.
"Vishu." Priya sighed exasperatedly. "What? It happened at my wedding. Everyone made me emotional and I started to cry and Ugh. The mascara was all over my cheeks," she said in disdain. "Yeah, it took 20 make up wipes to clear her makeup and redo it." Surbhi said, shivering. Chakor's tears literally evaporated at that statement.
Priya chuckled. "Alright, hurry up and finish her make up, Vishu. We need to start with the Gauri Puja," Mrs. Bhat said. Vishu hmmed, doing the saree's pleats again, 2 to 3 safety pins in her mouth. Priya helped take out Chakor's jewellery, while Surbhi went with Mrs. Bhat to prepare for the Gauri Puja. Priya was helping Chakor tie her arm ring when Ragini came in. Chakor beckoned her inside, beaming at her. Ragini entered, holding a box. She kissed Chakor's cheek, telling her she looked beautiful.
Chakor was wearing the traditional South Indian wedding Saree. An off white one with red and gold borders. Ragini stared at her for a few minutes, taking in her dress, her bangles, her maang teeka, earrings, and finally, her necklace. It was a matching jewellery set. Chakor hadn't finished dressing up yet, but Ragini ready concluded that she would sweep her Bhaiya off his feet when he saw her. Suddenly, she remembered the reason she came here.
Clearing her throat, she took Chakor's hand in her own as she gave her the box she was holding. Chakor looked at her confused, before opening the box. Inside, was a royal gold necklace, a heavy one too. She looked up at Ragini, who seemed at a loss of words. She saw her swallow twice, before opening her mouth to speak.
"That," she started. "Is our khaandaani haar. Grandma gave it to me before she passed away," Chakor could feel Ragini on the verge of breaking down, but contrary to what she expected, Ragini smiled. "She wanted me to give it to Suraj's wife, the day she would enter our house. And after so many of years of waiting, it's finally happening!" Her voice was high pitched with unshed tears, and Chakor pulled Ragini into a hug, pulling Vishu too accidentally. She had been at the back, working on Chakor's *huvina jade*, when Chakor had moved forward to hug Ragini.
"Ragini, bring your saree along the next time. The next ritual is Kashi Yatre, after that all the girls will change together." Priya told her. "Yup, Vishu di told me," Ragini nodded, while Vishu smiled at the way she addressed her. She couldn't speak still, biting bobby pins this time, as she kept doing Chakor's hair. Ragini left along with Priya as Surbhi and Mrs. Bhat entered.
Meanwhile, outside, Suraj had changed into his muhurtham attire: A cream coloured veshti and shalya, on top of an off white shirt with the sleeves pulled back. He had taken help tying the veshti of course. He was already seated at the mandap, and was waiting for the priest to start. Around 10 minutes later, the priest got word of the Bride starting her Gauri Puja after the Kappu had been tied, and he began chanting hymns as well. Rishab, Ragini, Chagan and all closely related people flocked Suraj, along with the other women from Chakor's side. Ragini and Priya sat together, watching the rituals up close.
"This ritual," the priest addressed Suraj. "Is called as Kashi Yatre, Yatre means journey. Now, is the time when it suddenly dawns on the groom that his bacelorhood is over. He has two options before him: That of a householder, and of a saint, or an ascetic. In the olden days, the men tried to run away from the concept of marriage, some still do," and everyone laughed. "This is important to make the groom realise his responsibilities, and to face them and take them on in the future, and not try to escape."
The priest handed him a book and a bamboo fan. He called for brother of the Bride, and Rishab appeared, gloating, and he was handed an umbrella. Suraj got up, followed by Mr. Bhat and Rishab, and the entire wedding procession proceeded outside. The drummers and the nadaswaram player followed them, having fun while playing at full volume.
Suraj was made to sit in a chair just outside the temple, his feet in a thaal. Rishab was behind him, holding unto the umbrella, waiting to open it. Mr. Bhat came forward presently. "Young man, I've just got the news that your Bride is looking exquisite today. Do you really want to leave?" He joked, earning a round of laughter from everybody. "But you haven't let me see her since morning. My eyes feel deprived of her right now." Suraj said, earning some more laughs and a few Awww's. "Don't worry, Bhava! You'll see her in a while. Patience is a virtue." Surbhi joked. Beside him, Rishab whispered, "Yes, YOU don't run away this time. I've waited long enough!" Suraj snorted at his words.
"I promise that my daughter shall be your friend and companion, share your joy and sorrow, in life and even after. So please reconsider." Mr. Bhat said, a bit serious this time. "So what's your decision?" The priest asked heartily, and Suraj chuckled. "Please get me married as soon as possible, sir. I can't wait anymore!" And everyone clapped at the declaration, the nadaswaram blowing hard as Rishab opened the umbrella, rose petals falling on Suraj as he did so, and Mr.Bhat bending down to wash Suraj's feet.
The drums beat again as Suraj made his way inside, back to the mandap, after finally making his 'decision'. Mr. Bhat and Chagan's father then made a verbal agreement, standing in place of the bride and groom's father respectively, as to the marriage. (This is another ritual.). Thus the priests started chanting hymns, all together (This is done to ward off evil spirits, as well as to dissolve any kind of ill words), the sounds resounding through out the temple, reaching even the Bride's room.
Chakor shivered in excitement as she heard the mantras being read. She prayed to the Gauri idol with sincerity, her heart beating loudly against her chest as she knew she would be called out soon. Mrs. Bhat and Mrs. Guggal were helping her perform the Puja. Her kamarbandh felt loose all of a sudden, her throat dry. She shook it off as just her being nervous.
Vishu had gone out a few minutes back, taking Yuvi and Suvreen with her. Yuvi had been awestruck when he had seen Chakor. Who wouldn't have been?
She looked absolutely divine in that white and red saree, more so after she had finished putting on her jewellery. Her mehndi colour seemed to be competing with the red of her saree. It was a wonderful contrast to the gold bangles she wore, studded with stones and rubies. The arm rings were tied just in between the ending of her blouse and the starting of her mehndi design, creating a border of gold between the two reds. Her earrings and maang teeka complimented the bangles and her necklaces, all similar, studded with stones and rubies. She wore the Rajvanshi haar in between two of her necklaces, and though it was heavy, it made her look completely royal, a true Rajvanshi bride. Vishu had also completed her *huvina jade*, adorning her hair with jewellery pieces from the set as well as different colours of flowers.
Chakor looked at her ring. Her face felt hot as she remembered Suraj kneeling down and holding up the ring. It was ironical, her face felt hot while her feet just so, so cold. She shivered as the door opened, Rishab standing at the door way. He smiled at her, extending his hand forward as he neared her.
"It's time." He said softly, and Chakor's heart skipped a beat.
(NOTE: It is usually the maternal uncle who brings the Bride to the mandap.)
Rishab left with Chakor, as all the women flocked in the Bride room to change. Vishu helped Ragini with her saree, since it was her first time draping one, and silk sarees weren't all that light to carry around.
Rishab carefully escorted Chakor to the mandap, passing by Suraj, who was standing, facing West, to the opposite side. They were now facing each other, separated by a cloth, however. The priests continued to chant the mantras, as Mr. Guggal neared Chakor, standing opposite Rishab, waiting for the cloth to be put down. On the other side, Chagan, and one of his friends who had helped him with the preparations, stood beside Suraj.
The minute the cloth was put down, both the sides lifted up the Bride and the Groom, and Chakor ended up putting the varamala in her hands first (on Suraj), followed by Suraj. He was a bit taken aback when he was lifted, he didn't expect that. It was actually a kind of game. Whoever managed to put the garland around the other first, they were said to be the one ruling in the relationship.
They exchanged garlands two more times, never taking their eyes off each other. It was the first time they were seeing each other today.
Chakor had just been awestruck seeing Suraj in the veshti. Without his waist coat and overcoat, one could make out his lean and toned body under the shirt. His shirt seemed to suffocate his arms, however, when he flexed his muscles while raising his arms to garland her. He had been staring at her continuously, unblinking, a half smirk on his face. God, he looked delectable right then and...
"No no no no no! Chakor, get a hang of yourself. Now is NOT the time to think about all that!"
Who could blame her? If someone had given Suraj a pair of shades, and he had folded his veshti a bit, every female within a 1km radius would have had a nosebleed.
Suraj, meanwhile, had become stiff when the cloth had dropped down, for he had got the first glimpse of his soon to be wife, and, 'Oh Lord, please keep my feet steady.' he had sincerely prayed, for his jaw had literally dropped to the ground the minute she had looked up at him, and their eyes had met. He had smiled at her as he put the garland over her, never once breaking eye contact or blinking. She seemed to be nervous, for she kept avoiding his heated gaze, shifting her eyes from side to side. He smirked at that. Surely she was just as affected by him.
There was this one moment Chakor had pursed her lips together and squeezed her eyes, out of pure nervousness of course, and Suraj growled lowly. She was being such a turn on that time, and she didn't even know.
He took in her beauty as she proceeded to garland him the third time. The flowers decorating her hair seemed to be seducing him, luring him in every time he had a whiff of the sweet scent. Her hands were so close to him as she raised them holding the garland. He noted the dark colour of her mehendi, almost taking her hand and kissing it when he made out an S on her palm. He lowered his head, smirking up at her as she put the garland around his neck.
His smirk faltered, however, when he saw her necklaces, the one in the middle, to be precise.
He had seen it on his mother a few times. He had seen his grandmother treasuring it, keeping it safe in the locker numerous times.
He knew it was their family heirloom.
He knew only a Rajvanshi Bride could wear it.
And the only thing he knew now, was that it was around his bride's neck. *His bride, the love of his life.*
His heart was thumping against his ribcage when he raised his head again. It would have broken out of the cage even, when she looked up at him, Brown eyes hidden behind those long lashes. He drank in her beauty as he raised his arms.
'MINE.' He thought.
The third time he put the garland around her, his possessiveness for her grew. Internally, he made a promise that he would never let even a blade of grass hurt her. His happiness soared with the sound of the drums and the nadaswaram, reaching its peak when everyone cheered following the garlanding ceremony.
The couple was then made to sit on a swing, and songs were sung as the swing moved to and fro.
"Life will have a lot of ups and downs. Some will rock you back and forth, like the swing is doing now. But as on the swing, the both of you shall remain steady and stable, your harmony unperturbed in both mind and body. And you shall continue the same for as long as you live, facing any problem head on, and TOGETHER." The priest smiled at them.
A few more minutes of the fun, and they returned to the mandap. Mr. Bhat tearfully completed the Kanya Dhaanam ritual, which was followed by the *Thaali* Puja. Mantras were chanted throughout, and towards the end, Mr. Bhat, as the Bride's father, seeks assurance from Suraj, that in joy, or sorrow, in life, and even beyond, he would remain by his daughter's side, and would remain so for even the next 7 births.
This assurance was taken thrice, and Chakor, sitting a bit away from Suraj till now, felt goosebumps all over as he repeated his assurance in his deep, manly voice. It was now 11.04, just 20 minutes away from the muhurtham time.
Chakor was then asked to tie the *Kankanam*(glossary) around Suraj's wrist, and Suraj followed a few minutes later. Chakor's heart beat loud and fast as she sat facing him (Bride faces East, Groom West). The drummers and the nadaswaram players were getting ready. She saw Vishu and Surbhi going around, distributing *akshatha* to all the elders. Priya came forward, bringing Ragini with her. She asked Ragini to stand behind Chakor.
Chakor's heart was positively thumping now. She had attended a lot of weddings, she knew what was coming next. She was anxious and restless, at the same time excited and elated for what came next. She felt Priya crouch down to hold her long flower braid. She clenched and unclenched her hands, her limbs seemed to have frozen. Her throat was parched, but at the same time she didn't feel thirsty. Her stomach was doing somersaults, as shivers ran up and down her spine continuously.
Finally, as if breaking her from her reverie, the head priest addressed Suraj.
"Repeat after me,"
Chakor looked up at Suraj, who had his full attention on the Head Priest, familiarizing himself with the chant. Slowly, he turned to look at Chakor, and she gasped. Goosebumps rose all over her skin as slowly, so painfully slowly, Suraj lifted the *thaali* from the leaf where it had been placed.
Bringing it up, he looked at her straight in the eye as he repeated the priest's words.
"||Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna
Kante badhnami Shubage twam jeeva sharadam shatham||"
(MEANING: This is a sacred thread, that is necessary for my long life. I tie this around your neck, Oh Maiden with auspicious attributes. May you live happily for a hundred years.)
It all happened in a flash, but for Chakor it lasted an eternity. As soon as Suraj had finished his words, the drums were beaten to produce the maximum sounds, and the nadaswaram blew loud and proud, drowning any other voices around. (Glossary)
Priya picked up her braid as Ragini crouched down as well. Suraj bent forward to tie the first knot of the thaali. The minute his fingers brushed against the back of her neck, tears rolled down her cheeks.
It was finally happening!
Suraj seemed to have felt the same, for he pulled her into a brief hug as he finished tying the first knot. He was laughing like a young boy, whilst Chakor tried to smile in spite of her tears.
Ragini tied the next two knots of her thaali, symbolizing Chakor's entry into her new family. *Akshatha* was poured from all sides, blessing the new couple. Suraj presently broke the hug, looking up at the people around. Ragini was crying as well, and wow, he hadn't expected Rishab to cry. All of Chakor's friends were around her, hugging her and Ragini together, sandwiching the two together. He laughed at the scene as he felt his own eyes getting watery. Rishab ran forward to hug him, Chagan attacking from the side. The instruments were slowed down, as people congratulated the newly wed couple. Yuvi had jumped on Suraj's lap, hugging him before running to hug Chakor.
Ragini came forward to hug Suraj, crying hard. She wept against his shirt, and he tightened the hug as his shirt dampened even more. The merriment continued till the Bride and Groom were asked to stand up and hold hands, to complete *Saptha Padhi*.
(NOTE: Actually, no one is allowed to touch the Bride or Groom after the tying of the thaali, since they are believed to be like Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu at the time.)
"Saptha Padhi," the priest started, "or seven steps. It is believed that if you walk seven steps with your partner, you become their friend, or companion. Come, now," the priest said. Suraj held Chakor's hand, as he took the first step. Mantras were being chanted, and the priest was explaining them as they took the seven steps.
Finally, he started to explain each step that was taken by the couple.
"We take the first step to provide for a happy and wealthy life.
We take the second step to develop physical, mental and spiritual powers.
We take the third step to increase our wealth by diligence and righteousness.
We take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust.
We take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, virtuous, and loving children.
We take the sixth step to promise to care for each for a long life together.
Finally, we take the seventh step to be true companions and partners by this marriage."
The nadaswaram blew again, signalling the completion of the marriage. Suraj and Chakor looked at each other, smiling, laughing, conveying so many emotions without words. All their friends and family came forward again, as they posed for pictures. They had really forgotten about the photographer!
It was well over half an hour before the newly wed couple were allowed to continue the few remaining rituals, their friends demanding photo after photo.
*But in all that time, never once did Suraj let go of his Wife's hand.*
Glossary:
Kalash githi: The groom (and the bride's) sisters usually carry a decorated kalash at all times of the wedding. The kalash githis are given a lot of importance, and have to sit with the bride and the groom (respectively) for most of the rituals.
Nadaswaram: South Indian shehnai, in a broad sense.
NOTE: South Indians don't have any separate ritual for mehndi, actually. It's all choice, whether to have a function such as that or not.
Sumangalis: Married women (husbands are living)
Vara Puja: Vara here means the groom. The bride's family welcomes the groom with pomp and show, praying for his well being and also that he look after their daughter well in the future.
Mane (kannada): Peeta in Telugu.
A small stool where the groom is made to sit.
Dhristi chukki: Kala tika, to ward off evil spirits.
Gauri Puja: Before the muhurtham, the Bride prays to Goddess Parvati, to bless her with the attributes of a good wife, and to have a long and loving marriage.
Kappu: A thread tied around the Bride's wrist for her protection.
Bhava: Brother in law (Jeeju).
Huvina jade: (Kannada) Flower braid.
Thaali: Golden mangal sutra.
Kankana Dharanam: A string fastened to a piece of turmeric is tied by the bride around the groom's wrist (the Groom does so later). This is said to bind them together in a religious vow.
Only after the Bride ties this thread is the groom allowed to touch her.
Getti Melam: The nadaswaram and the drums are played loudly when the groom is thing the thaali, so as to drown any other inauspicious comments.
Precap: Shaadi ke baad kya hota hai? Wahi.🤣
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