Fate

Chapter 17

And finally it was the time of wedding and Bhaskar made sure all the rituals of their culture is followed to the T.

Madarengee(Mehendi)

Parvati was dressed in a simple chudidar and was looking heavenly beautiful. Rama was pacing back and fro outside the house as he was not allowed to see her. And today was mehendi.
It is a very simple ritual. Parvati was made to sit in between relatives and she was asked to hold a beetle leaf in hand and all the elder ladies applied a mehendi dot on it and later modern designs were applied on her palms and legs by professionals. The next day she was given a ritual bath with turmeric, oil and coconut milk and later blessed by the elderly ladies of the family. This bath is given to brighten her complexion and to make her look astoundingly good on her wedding. After the bath, Parvati was made to wear a new saree, black bangles and gold jewellery. Then Parvati moved to puja room and after a brief prayer session, she proceeded towards the sacred tulsi plant for praying.

Murthasese

It is an tradition which is held at the bride’s house a day before the wedding. Since Parvati didn't have a mother's house or relatives Janaki and her relatives took the responsibility of this ritual. After the Madarengee ceremony, the radiant looking Parvati came to pray to the sacred tulsi plant which symbolizes Goddess Laxmi. She was then made to sit on a beautifully festooned chair facing east.

A silver plate was filled with raw rice mixed thoroughly with kumkum & haldi, and a coconut is placed on them which symbolize the presence of Lord Ganpati. After this, a tall wick lamp is lit which was adorned with jasmine flowers. The eldest married woman, known as sumangali, started the ceremony by putting a toe ring on the bride's second toe. After this, the sumangali's of the family will put red and green bangles in the bride’s hands in a sequence and also put jasmine flowers in her hair. Parvati was made to wear one black bangle to remove any drishti or evil eye effect. Since, bride is considered the Laxmi of the house; the ceremony is ended by doing an aarti of the bride.

Aarathi

With Aarathi, the actual wedding ceremonies begin. Parvati arrived to the wedding hall, half an hour before the dhare, she is welcomed by her sister in law (Munna's cousin brother wife) who lets her in after washing the feet of Parvati. As she comes in, the sumangalis present in the ceremony and the bride’s aunt do the aarti and put haldi & kumkum on her.

The mantap was decorated with jasmine flower, mango leaves and aracanut. Parvati was taken to the mantap and let her seat on the right side. She was welcomed in the mantap with trumpet music and same procedure is followed for welcoming the groom also. Rajesh washed Rama's feet and takes him to mantap making him seat on the left side next to Parvati. Bhaskar and Janaki gave haldi-kumkum, poov sere (sari and flowers) and wedding jewellery to Parvati.

Dhareyeruna (Kanyadaan)

In this ceremony, the bride’s parents fill a brass vessel with water and take it to all the elders hailing from both the families to seek their blessings. Bhaskar and Janaki wanted to perform this  ritual but again they had to perform rituals on behalf of Rama too. Lawyer Harish came forward to do the rituals. Everyone agreed.Then ritual known as dhare or kanyadaan begins. “Nanya” an antique gold coin is placed on the palm of the Parvati underneath which Rama was asked place his hands. Bride’s parents start pouring water onto the hands of the couple from the brass vessel that was blessed by all the elders of the family.

Rama then tied “Mangalsutra” to Parvati's neck which has been blessed by five sumangalis. After this, Rama put the wedding ring on the right ring finger of Parvati. Similarly, Parvati slips a gold ring onto Rama's finger. Then after, the couple holds the “chambu” (the vessel) and sits down & rises swiftly three times. This ritual is known as “dhareyeruna”.

Homa

In this ritual, a brahmin lights up a scared fire known as homa in the midst of vedic chants. Rajesh gives fistful of puffed rice in the hands of the couple, which they offer to the sacred fire each time they take a fera (go around the sacred fire). Everyone present in the ceremony takes the raw rice mixed with kumkum & haldi and gives their blessings to the couple. The sumangalies perform the aarti and put kumkum-haldi on the couple. All the elders then bless the couple as the wedding ceremonies get over.

Parvati was welcomed into home by performing an Aarti and she was asked to kick a pot of rice using her right feet and made to enter the house.

Janaki was exhausted after the wedding got over.

"Uff.. so much more to do...That's why there is a proverb in Kannada "Mane Katti Nodu, Maduve Madi Nodu"(which means, Experience building home and Perform a marriage function). It's true" Janaki said to Bhaskar who was arranging the gifts which they received from some of his close friends and relatives.

"True Janaki. Our elders were so right. They didn't create this proverb for nothing. I am glad and extremely proud seeing you involving so much in wedding" Bhaskar said

Janaki's eyes welled up "I was a fool to believe in superstitions. I realised my mistake and this is my way of rectifying the sin I was about to perform. And Rama is like my son".

Rama and Parvati came to meet Bhaskar and Janaki. They took their blessings by touching their feet.

"Thank you for coming into my life as my godparents. I can take hundred birth again to serve you. You have never treated me as a servant but always gave me the place of your son. I pray to God if there is one more birth for me then I would want to be born as your son".

Bhaskar and Janaki hugged the couple and gave them their blessings.

--------------------The End-------------------
Even though the journey of Parvati continues, the story of this book comes to an end.

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