A day of highlights: Satya & Kusum Hindu Wedding Ceremony

Up early again and out snorkelling by 8am at Sugar Beach.  The tourist kayaks were all hovering about 250m off shore so we guessed they were looking at something. The coral was spectacular, so many types and colours but the best part was swimming alongside a green turtle, gracefully gliding with us for sometime.

Yvonne met Cynthia, an Indian relative at the Fairmont Hotel so she could help tie her sari and in 15 minutes and two safety pins later the job was done.  So from 1pm until the Wedding at 4pm Yvonne sat inside trying to keep cool as the sari weighs around 2kg.

Madhuparka: Welcoming of the Groom.
We met outside the Sugar Beach Wedding venue with all the guests and in tradition the Grooms family and friends welcome him in a procession with Satya in an open top car at the front.  The mum of the bride then greeted him with blessings.  Satya was then accompanied to the highly decorated mandap (altar) by the family and friends which was on the lawn with the beach and sea in the background.  As it was still hot at 4pm guests were given parasols and fans, which had the order of service written on them.
It would appear Kusum had already arrived and was hidden away in an air conditioned bridal suite.
Kanya Agaman: Bride arrives
With a antarpat (curtain) in front of Satya, so as not to see Kusum, she walked down the aisle with the sun sparkling on her stunning pink gown and entered the mandap. The Priest began the ceremony and there begins several rituals, amongst the Kusum's parents giving her away (Kanya Daan) which is considered one of the most sacred gifts that parents can offer. They were then both encircled with a loop of raw cotton, (Varmala) depicting good fortune of the bond of marriage and blessings for a long and happy life together. At Mangal Phera they both circled around the sacred fire and at the end of this they compete to be the first to sit down, which is thought to predict who would dominate the marriage. Clearly Satya made it first, but we don't think he will.... Sapta Padi reciting seven vows, then Mangal Sutra, a sacred necklace of black and gold beads is placed around Kusum's neck and finally, Ashirwad: Blessings from Family and Friends where they both bow at their parents and elder family members feet.

All of this took place with both parents at the mandap (altar) and various family and friends coming and going during different stages.  It was a busy ceremony with a good balance of laughter and solemnity.

The ceremony finished just as the sun set and they both went off down the beach for the family photos.  Guests were entertained with Hawaiian fire dancing as it got dark and then dinner was laid out buffet style outside. The inside of the venue was beautifully decorated with stunning flowers. We met plenty of interesting people from around the World - plenty of places to visit/stay. Yvonne was introduced to Smores (melted marshmallow with melted chocolate in a biscuit sandwich) around the fire pit. We danced the night away and look forward to another night of fun tomorrow at the Reception.

Awaiting the arrival of the groom

Awaiting the arrival of the groom

The groom arrives

The arrival of the bride

Yvonne and Cynthia

The sun sets

Yvonne and Kusum