章 23: Marriage Rites - II

After few minutes Varsha is seated beside Akash on the designated place. And the priest also came and took his seat after that. One lady helper is sitting beside Varsha and one helper is sitting beside Akash to help in performing the rituals according to the priest's instructions.

Songs are stopped and rituals started. Groom and bride prayed to god together with their palms joining in front while the priest chanted the Mantras. People observed and the happiest are the two grandpas and their expressions are captured beautifully by Kripa.

After prayer came the ritual of gifting the daughter in which parents of girl joined in the ritual and they held the hand of their daughter and passed into the hands of the groom with the chanting of Mantras by the priest.

Mother of Varsha and Varsha herself could not stop themselves for tearing up and mother of Varsha said to Akash in a whisper "Please take care of our daughter. Never let her cry." Akash smiled at her mother and then looked at Varsha and seeing her emotional state thought "So dramatic."

Then came the ritual of circling around the fire while joined to each other and taking the vows. For this ritual, one side of the groom's sash is tied in a knot with the lapel of the bride and they will circle around the fire while the priest chants the Mantras. After each circle, the bride and groom will take their vow. There are seven circle and seven vows for them.

For three and a half circles groom took the lead and for the rest bride was in the lead while the priest chanted the Mantras. After every circle bride repeated the vows after the priest and the same for a groom for his vows. Finally, this most important ritual of the marriage ceremony is done.

Kripa recorded everything and whispered into the ears of Akash "Now I pronounce you husband and wife. You can go ahead and kiss the bride" which brought him a glare from Akash and Kripa laughed.

Varsha looked at the person beside Akash and seeing how close he is to Akash she could guess that he must be his best friend. Kripa sensed her gaze and then looked at her and said with a smile "Sister-in-law! I am Kripa, his best friend. He is a fool when it comes to interacting with people, so it's better if you don't mind his actions sometime." Varsha could not stop from smiling and Akash rebuked "Keep away from here."

Kripa teased and laughed "Wow, so protective of the wife. Keeping other men away. Very good. I like it." Akash turned his head straight and stooped responding to him. Even he can not understand what has happened to his friend. He used to be very calm and less talkative than today.

Next came the ritual of applying vermilion on the middle line of the head where hair is parted just above the forehead. Akash did the vermilion application on Varsha amid the chanting of Mantras. Circling the fire together seven times and applying vermilion are two most important rituals of a marriage ceremony and after these two it can be said that they are married. Ring and other jewelry are worn by bride and groom while getting ready for the ceremony. Ring of groom comes from the bride side and ring of girl and necklace comes from groom's side.

Kripa laughed and said while recording "Now I pronounce you husband and wife. Now.." before he could continue, Akash hissed "Stop there or I will break your damn camera." Varsha smiled and even Grandpa who is sitting behind them at a small distance could not himself from chuckling. There is no ritual of kissing the bride in Hindu marriage but it is embarrassing because many people know from movies what are the words going to be next. Akash glared at his friend and seeing his smirk felt the strong urge to wipe it off with a fist.

Priest gestured toward one of the helpers and said "Please distribute the flower petals to everyone." and then he announced loudly "Now everyone will come one by one and rain flowers on bride and groom and give his or her blessings to bride and groom for their better future."

After that priest chanted the mantras of giving the blessings and all the people came one by one and they rained the flower petals on the new couple and gave their blessings. First people from gents side started coming. Most of the elders gave their blessings to the newly wedded boy and girl.

"Live long and happy life," Varsha's Grandpa said lovingly while putting flower petals on their heads.

Grandpa of Akash also gave his blessings "Live happily and loving each other."

"Live prosperously and have beautiful children," few elders said

Next women also came one by one and gave their blessings. All people some silently and some vocally gave their blessings. Everyone gave them the blessing to live long and happy together. Many ladies gave them blessings to have many children as well.

Finally, Kripa who is still recording came laughing and said while raining flowers on the couple "Now I will summarize all the blessings. Live long, be happy together, remain prosperous and have a lot of naughty children."

It made Varsha giggle and Akash scolded while waving his hand toward Kripa in dismissal "You are not an elder. No need of your blessing. Go away, you fickle bachelor." Which made many people laugh.

The main rituals of marriage are complete. Akash sighed when priest announced the completion of marriage rituals. Varsha felt happy but remained discreet due to the sorrow of leaving her parent's home and some due to the mood of Akash.