North indian wedding

---

After we had dyed the groom yellow with turmeric powder. he ran off to have a shower and came back looking like prince charming. 

Before we left to fetch his bride, he was adorned with money garlands, every family showing pride in the beautiful pieces that they had created. I heard on the grapevine that the artform was being discouraged.

He then entered his palanquin for pictures and walked up the stairs into his modern people carrier a decorated car. We had a 2 hour ish drive ahead of us. 

The drive started as the sun was setting and it was nightfall when we reached Rishikesh. Waiting for us was our own private stall of refreshments, the best pakora I had in India, a dessert and some chai. As we waited for everyone to arrive, another Groom in his horse driven carriage and entourage went by us. 

Our wedding venue and also the bride's family home was down the street opposite us. We had bit of a walk, all pretty exciting, all the while, holding up traffic. We eventually reached the wedding venue and were delayed by the barrier of beautifully dressed, fierce woman (bride's sisters) demanding the correct price for entry. All the while, the onlookers were in close proximity of fireworks which got a bit dangerous, when it fell and started shooting directing at the crowd.

We were finally allowed in and I couldn't believe the time, 10pm. By that point, the groom's side were wanting to sit down and then hit the food stations. There was still the bride's entrance, meeting of groom and bride ..... still all to come, it was a long night full of romantic moments, made even longer as the emphasis is capturing the moments, just like Bollywood hey. It felt like being at a photoshoot and that is all I say, just appreciate being invited. Let the video speak for it self, sorry my phone is already crap, trying to avoid the lights was a mission. 

I was very blessed to have been considered a part of the Groom's family and we were all staying at the Bride's house, all 15 of us, unfortunately there was only one room and most of the elder people had all gone to sleep. I was determined to see the ceremonies from start to finish and was told that the Saptapadi ceremony was next, at 3am. Saptapadi translates to seven steps, referring  to the seven promises of marriage that a bride and groom take with each step.  

Once everything was sorted, it was time to find somewhere to sleep. luckily someone's uncle had a hotel or at least a room, I wasn't alone, Pooja, my trusted pal for my time at the wedding. It was dark and we were following men into this very interesting establishment. Eventually Pooja's man came to check on us, to see whether we were comfortable, I feel this is worth mentioning because it was the sweetest gesture, he tracked down some extra blankets for us and tucked us both in. What a sweetie.

I was told that the aim of the game was to see the bride cry. There was a calf there for whatever blessings that come with having a cow there. We were all gathered around the bride and groom, everyone fighting for the best spectator spot. 

It reminded me of the ceremony that happen before the groom had headed off to come fetch his bride, money garlands and families giving their blessings. After come googling, I fount the name of the ceremony, Vidaai, also known as Bidaai.

There were a lot of tears, from the bride, her sister and  several other family members, 

 Griha Pravesh is an open term, not exclusive to bride's, it is a Hindu ceremony performed on the occasion of an individual's first time entering their new home.  I experienced a whole lot of coconut throwing/breaking throughout my time in India. The bride arrived in Chamba by car and was transferred to her palanquin, she was welcomed by the dancing wives of her brother in laws, the way they danced reminded me of Esmeralda from the Hunch back of Notre Dame. Her palanquin was carried down the epic staircase, followed by her sisters, where she was reunited with her groom. The women on the groom's side welcomed the bride into the house and more blessings were given. The night ended with the last party at the same hotel and that was the end of out North Indian Wedding.