The new Mrs. Kavathekar begins her wedding day as Miss Patel dressed up with exciting anticipation:
Hindu Gods are here to make sure everything goes smoothly today:
Starting with the makeup:
You can take the girl out of Calgary, but you can't take the Calgary out of the girl:
At the same Sheraton Cavalier in north east Calgary, but in a different room:
Mr. Kavathekar is almost ready:
And here he goes, with his family and friends, leading the baraat:
The rhythm is contagious and standby-ers in the hotel's parking lot start to shake it. Even though it's in Marathi and I don't understand a single word, I also feel like dropping the camera and joining the baarat. Here's why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AeX7Ddq4ts
Kaajal's family welcomes Amol with coconuts and garlands:
Jaimala is when the couple meet and exchange garlands. At least, they make an effort:
Garland throwing could be a new Olympic event.
The groom's friends lift him as high as possible to show that the bride cannot take him away from his family. Nice try, but we all know how today is going to end.
Pokhanu ritual - the bride's mother welcomes Amol at the entrance, where she performs an aarti (blessing):
Madhuparka - the groom's future father-in-law brings Amol to the mandap (altar), where he will wash his feet.
Lord Ganesh, the Remover of all Obstacles, is called upon to bless the couple and all those attending this auspicious occasion:
A Hindu wedding ceremony is based on traditions and rituals originating in the Rig Veda, the earliest of the four ancient Sanskrit books of knowledge, collectively known as the Vedas.
Kanya Aagman - Arrival of the Bride
Before the bride enters, a curtain (antarpaat) is held in front of the groom, which prevents them from seeing each other:
In royal fashion, Kaajal is carried in by her brother and uncle:
After a few prayers and songs, the curtain is lowered, symbolically removing all feelings of separateness:
A less wild and more successful exchange of flower garlands ensues and the couple proclaims their love and mutual acceptance of one another:
Kanya Daan - Entrusting the Daughter:
The offering of a daughter in marriage is considered to be the greatest of all gifts one can make.
Hasta Melap - Joining the Hands
While chanting shlokas (holy verses), the pundit places a sacred betel nut in the groom's right palm, then places the bride's right palm on top and finally covers everything with a red cloth:
Now the union has the approval of the families, and is conducted in the presence of family, friends and the community, as seen in the ceiling mirror:
Agni Pooja - Agni (God of Fire) is considered to be the greatest purifier and acts as a witness to the union.
The pundit sets up a small fire in a kund (sacred bowl), where the couple offers ghee (clarified butter), rice and sandalwood to Agni, to signify the spirit of sacrifice and partnership:
Mangal Pheras - the bride and groom are circling the fire four times.
Each time, they will touch a stone in their path, which symbolises obstacles in life that they will overcome together.
Saptapadi - It is said in Hindu philosophy that if two people walk seven steps together, they will remain lifelong friends:
A small step for the bride is a big step for their marriage:
Mangal Sutra and Sindoor Dan are the most sacred symbols of a woman's marital status. Amol puts sindoor (vermillion powder) at the parting of his bride's hair and he adorns her with a sacred necklace (mangal sutra) which represents the couple's togetherness, love and sacred union:
Akhand Saubhagyavati - Blessings:
Seven married ladies wish into Kaajal's ear "Good luck, prosperity and a long, happy life". This can be a ticklish procedure:
Definitely not the ticklish kind, Kaan Pili must be the most unpleasant ritual as far as the groom is concerned. His new brother-in-law, Tushar, will
gently twist Amol's ear to remind him to take care of his little sister:
For that effort he receives a gift, as well:
Ashirvaad - the Hindu wedding ceremony concludes with the newlyweds asking for blessings from their elders:
It's time for a little photo shoot with the happy couple and the new National Music Center at Studio Bell seems like a fitting place on a rainy day.
Canada and the USA are once again tied together:
You've probably noticed the red spots on Amol's white sherwani. It's not blood. Just his red kurta that couldn't handle very well all the intensity of the baraat and ceremony:
A shower and new makeup are in order.
Before the reception, we find blessings from a random hand in East Village:
All decorations and details are hand made by the creative bride:
I really like the 'Message in a Bottle' idea:
The couple is supposed to read some of these in 50 years:
The guest globe is pretty awesome, too:
Introducing the freshest couple in town:
A wave of emotions takes over during the speeches.
Amol: 'Kaajal and I started our love story as friends who met at a happy hour in Minneapolis.'
Kaajal: 'The first time I got to really talk and get to know Amol was over fancy cocktails a few weeks later.'
Amol: 'For the next year and a half my friendship with Kaajal grew and became very important to each of us.'
Kaajal: 'As it seemed to me, my relationship with Amol changed in an instant.'
Amol: 'Eventually, a casual evening of dinner, drinks and a walk home turned into me asking Kaajal out on a date.'
Kaajal: 'With no idea what to do when Amol asked me out, I asked him for time to think about it and just said, 'Give me a month.'
Amol: ' I patiently waited for Kaajal's answer and started to countdown the days.'
Kaajal: 'As he would remind me of his count down, I told him the count downs need to lead to something big.'
Amol: 'She asked for a hot air balloon, a neon marque, fireworks and a purple unicorn.'
Kaajal: 'What girl doesn't need a purple unicorn?'
Amol: 'And so when I asked Kaajal out again, I had a neon marque sign and of course, the purple unicorn.'
Amol and Kaajal: 'From there our relationship grew into the love that we share now.'
The groom has very entertaining narratives to tell his guests and the latest one is about today's Red Wedding. Visuals help a lot with the story telling.
His skills are not as exquisite when it comes to cake serving, though:
The Bollywood spirit is present, too:
And the surprise performance by the newlyweds blows everyone away.
Family and friends get the bug and join them on the dance floor.
Congratulations one more time, Kaajal and Amol! You win. Both of you.
love.more.cosmin
Vendors 'N' Things:
Ceremony and Reception - Sheraton Cavalier, Calgary
Pundit (Priest) - Manilal Modha
Makeup - Nu Image Beauty Consulting
Hair Stylist - Sue Thompson
DJ - Kombo Studios
Video - Style Video
Second Shooter - Bogdan Spineanu
Photography Assistant - Ella Anderson
Calgary Wedding Photographer - Hindu Marriage Photographer
You like? You want? Let me know:
cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com
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