Flash is the word that best describes my wedding. Since most of you missed my wedding, I will take you through the roads of Ranchi, my wedding mantap, and the spectrum of my mind . I juggled with my emotions as the day approached. From cold feet to cultural shock I experienced it all.
After I reached Ranchi, the first good thing was the dinner. We were lucky to get delicious dinner at 11:00 PM at Kaveri. The food was heaven!!. After ages I ate yummy dal makhani and kofta…sluurrp!!!
Next day, 27th June was Sachin’s Tilak ceremony in the evening. His family visited us to discuss the rituals and the formalities. My folks got busy shopping for it and I, the princess was getting Mehendi done . By the time it was night, I had allergy on one of my hands. The pattern was a disaster!!! Strike 1 for the bride to be. The good news was that Tilak was flawless. The food was good, Sachin looked good and the folks were happy. His folks sent food for granny and me as we did not attend the Tilak. As per the customs, the bride is not supposed to attend this function.
28th June started with rumbles and tumbles in my stomach. Due to change in water, food and tension, I fell sick. A bad stomach, headache, and what not!!! Strike 2 for the bride to be. My mom was busy giving me medicine whilst my uncles were busy purchasing customary stuff. I was fasting. Luckily, yummy Sondesh were allowed!!! I forgot all about my bad stomach and gorged on that!! After all, happiness comes in small boxesJ. In my condition, I am happy that I was fasting.
It was 7:00 PM and amidst the general wedding commotion, my beautician entered- a Punjabi aunty with her daughter, Sweety. From 7-8 she cribbed.. slapped me.. pulled my cheeks.. hair and turned me in to a pink monkey!! All for the makeup.
Aapne gold facial nahin kiya.. face pe waxing nahin kare….. chehre par yeh lagao who lagao… yeh use karo.. meri beti kingfisher main kaam kartee hai.. Sweety , don’t simply stand help me… Oh God I am so late.. arrey gajra nahin hai..arrey light ultee pad rahee hai.. blah blah blah!!! Phew.. She used yellow glitter on my eyes.. pink blush on my face.. eye liner to outline my lips !! The Maroon color lipstick was applied so well that my lips started looking black… I started the emergency treatment. Wiped out the make to make it light. and applied Bronze gloss. Strike 3 for the bride to be. If I had someone to help me out I would done self make up.
I was chauffeured in a decorated Honda City. When I reached the venue, I was overjoyed to see that Sachin had arranged for my favorite flowers even though they are hard to get in Ranchi. The mantap was neatly decorated with flowers towards the end of the room. The stage was set with two chairs. I waited for the barat to turn up. As expected they took ages to turn up. At that time I was totally blank at the same time, a concoction of concerns, issues, hopes, and apprehensions spun my head and heart.
Shortly, I was called for garland exchange ceremony. It was fun. The ceiling was low and that made it easier to garland Sachin even when his pals raised him. With 100s of eyes staring at you, my face had a conscious smile. On top of that I was asked to “behave” like a bride. I wonder why isn’t a smiling and chirpy bride acceptable to people? Is it like a Faux Pas?
After the garland exchange got over, I was made to wait in a room for like two hours. Meanwhile Sachin started the puja. Once instructed, I changed in to my traditional Paithani saree and moved to the mantap. At wee hours in the morning, the pair of eyes staring at lessend. The rituals were cut down and pandit did everything in a time saving manner. The highlight of the rituals was the application of sindoor. My hair were opened and neatly parted at the center. Dollops of ghee was applied to hold the sindoor . All the ladies from my side put sindoor on my head. Then, Sachiin applied a generous amount. Throughout the ritual, my forehead was covered so that the Sindoor does not fall in to my eyes. Thanks to my co sisters, the quantity of sindoor that was supposed to be put was reduced.
Once the rituals were over, I got some food to eat. By then I had lost my appetite. Never the less, having few bites from my dad’s hand was priceless. Next was vidai ceremony. Sachin’s dad took me and Sachin to his place. We were tired and sleepy. That did not deter people from conducting the moo dikhaee ceremony. One by one all the people came, saw my face and whether they liked it or not gave me gift. So by the end of it I was fully loaded 
. Overall it was an overwhelming day.
That’s not the end of it. There is lot more masala left to my stay at Ranchi. For that, you will have to wait for Bride Talk - II.
Meanwhile you can check my pictures on FB and @http://picasaweb.google.com/prateekjoshi24/NikkusNew#. Let Let me know if you are unable to view them.
Signing off, Mrs Singh J
