First, the bride gets ready. A lot of attention is paid to her makeup.
Henna powder ( Mehendi) is mixed with water, oil and lemon to form a paste which is applied on the hands and the feet of the bride and forms complex patterns.
Jewelry is an important part of the bride’s attire: her bracelets, necklaces and rings are usually made of gold, silver or platinum.
Her hairstyle is very important too ! Indian brides generally go for voluminous, beautifully shaped buns enhanced with flowers or other hair accessories.
Sari is the traditional garment worn by Indian brides.
Malar is now ready and her bridesmaids are delighted !
The groom and his kinsmen arrive at the temple.
The officiating priest chants a few mantras with the groom
Then he symbolically washes his hands in turmeric powder mixed with milk, almond oil along with sandal wood powder, which is supposed to protect him from evil spirits.
It’s time for the reception of the bride at the altar. She offers a present to the priest on her father’s behalf.
She too washes in hands in turmeric powder
The bride’s mother applies tilak of vermilion and turmeric powder on her daugther’s forehead.
It’s time to wear her beautiful lehenga-choli because she is going to be presented to her husband-to-be. The sacred fire ceremony can start : it is a symbol of purity and spirituality.
The bride’s family give away their daughter to the groom.
The couple takes solemn vows of loyalty before circling the fire seven times.
The end of the groom’s scarf is tied with the bride’s dress as a symbol of marriage knot.
Raja takes his wife to a stone slab where he offers her rings for the toes.
The couple feed a morsel of food and offer a flower necklace to each other expressing mutual love and affection.
The newly-wed couple is blessed by the elders.
Raja and Malar are now husband and wife !
Raja & Malar, were both solemnized at the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Temple on 3rd. July 2009, in Klang, Selangor.
(Pictures taken from Gregsvideodotcom’s video, created under a YouTube standard license : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6RaL_PRNM8 )
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