WEDDING DAY
It's 5:00 AM and the preparations begin. Here you can Jivan and Rajaran assisting preparation of Hariyot's garb for his big day.
Here is Livia and I all dressed up for the wedding. As this is now a formal affair, even non-Sikhs must wear a turban. It was a lot of fun!
Note the henna on Livia's hand which was originally brown, but has now turned reddish-brown.
Note the henna on Livia's hand which was originally brown, but has now turned reddish-brown.
Here you can see our entourage from Texas and southern California.
PREPARING FOR THE BARAAT.
The Baraat is a rather flamboyant procession that allows the groom and his family to meet the bride and her family with a bang. From the hotel to the temple, we will march several city blocks with the groom's family and guests.
The Baraat is a rather flamboyant procession that allows the groom and his family to meet the bride and her family with a bang. From the hotel to the temple, we will march several city blocks with the groom's family and guests.
A band accompanies the groom's entourage.
Hariyot steps up on a white horse and prepares to negotiate Mumbai's traffic.
And we're off! With a band, Hariyot on a horse, and his entire entourage of family and friends, we march down one of Mumbai's thoroughfares to the temple, blocking off a lane and contributing to its traffic jams. Nevertheless, the drivers are surprisingly restrained in using their horns and most give their best wishes to Hariyot as he passes.
We arrive at the temple 15 minutes later, dancing and in a festive mood. Komal's family is waiting at the entrance to the temple.
Before our entourage can meet the bride's family and then enter the temple, the Giani offers a prayer.
Before we can enter the temple, however, our entourage must 'confront' the bride's family who guards the temple entrance. This is the start of the Milni, or the ceremonial meeting of the families of the bride and groom.
During the Milni, key members of both families exchange garlands and then negotiate a 'fee' to be paid to the bride's family. It's all for fun and ends up being a few hundred British pounds which will be given to Komal's sister. Upon agreement, Komal's family allows us to enter the temple.
In more traditional Sikh weddings, the wedding takes place in the bride's home, but with so many people attending the wedding, Komal's home is not practical for such a celebration, hence holding it at the temple.
In more traditional Sikh weddings, the wedding takes place in the bride's home, but with so many people attending the wedding, Komal's home is not practical for such a celebration, hence holding it at the temple.