Here comes the most awaited D-day for Yogesh. We all know how happy he was on that day. Sometimes he couldn’t even speak in happiness. For early in the morning, everybody at Yogi’s home had started preparation of the ceremony. I and Sumit were with him from beginning till end.
Main events for the day in chronological order are: Pooja (tel Utarna), Nikasi, Ghud Chadi, and Barat, followed by reception, varmala, phere and vidayee.
First of all pooja was taken place at his home only. Let me first tell you about the ritual that is followed by. This ritual is called “Tel Utarna”. Brother-in-Law of groom puts on new cloths on him in front elders and family members. Yogi was in brief and towel. All his female friends were excited to see him half naked. But anyhow he had managed to save his towel and put on pants over that and shirting and suiting after that.
Nikasi was scheduled at 2 pm but started 2 hours late. Yogesh was on Mare first time in his life. I can see his fear as she was not standing quite. Now it was time to get rid of evil eye, so everybody was doing pooja one by one. On the other side band was ready and I was waiting to get started. As soon as nikasi started people jumped in front of Ghodi and started dancing. The singer of band was some local guy, but he was singing just appropriate as required in that situation. Some popular marriage band songs were played twice and thrice so that people can dance more and enjoy. Nikasi was stopped at different places, to get blessings from Gods and goddess. One more thing, girls from Bangalore were just disappeared during this event.
Nikasi ended at one temple and from where groom can’t go back to his house single. He has to take bride after marriage with him next day after Vidayee. So we headed towards yogi’s brother-in-law’s place nearby. I could not explain how great our welcome at his house was. We started preparing groom for marriage. He wore a royal sherwani and was really looking great. Ladies die for this day to see a man in this costume. We have to reach to the place from where BARAT was supposed to get started by 8 PM.
A different mare was ready and was decorated very well. He stepped down from the car and in next 5 minutes yogesh was on the mare. Baratis were ready for dance and masti. This was typical norht Indian style barat. This barat has a groom: P, ghodi, band, baratis, and light lamps.
Barat has to reach to marriage hall after 2 hours and place was not so far. It means we have to keep barat engage with dance for longer duration. Some barat dance numbers started playing and yogi’s relatives were throwing money over him (this is also a tantrum to get rid of evil eye or a way to show happiness). His brother’s friend, his friends from KOTA (his native place, famous for river Chambal in Rajasthan) and relatives took initiave. After 2-3 dance numbers we were pulled in to dance. I tell you till now Bangalore girls were missing. My friend (Sumit) was taking care of them
. It was going well. i bribed bandwala to play some good dance numbers to that i can dance well and make it a memorable to myself as well every person around. soon i and Sumit started feeling thrist so he wwnt to buy some cold drinks. I tell you guys this was milestone to Yogi’s barat. As soon as i saw cold drinks bottle , i rushed to bandwala and bribed him again to play ”jhoom barabar” song. In the meanwhile , One of his friend started dancing. Although nobody was drunk (including me) in that dance. I should not say but i acted like a perfect drunkerd and danced like a pro. By now , most awaited bangalore girls were there to cheer. They were not fully involving in dance , because of a fear to ruin their makeup. I tell you one more dance sequence was done by me , on which even girls were throwing money over me (i.e. Nag – saanp). I guess at that time some snake’s soul entered into me. I literally turned into a “icchadhari nag”. All were enjoying this part of marriage very well. Bangalore girls also showed some good steps to raise testosterone’s level of baratis
. One thing i want to appreciate about Bangalore girls , they knew how to get ready for this event, may be this was reason they not present in Nikasi. Barat was about to reach to marriage hall and bride’s side people were eagerly waiting to welcome us. This was the peak time for Dholwala’s to play , cracakers’ sound made it more enthusiastic. We danced for 30minutes in front of marriage and let bride’s side wait
and welcomed by them.
Reception was well arranged and all guests from bride side already present there. We had snacks along with guests. Yogi was taken to stage and he waited for bride for half and hour. As soon as bride reached the stage , all guests reached to hall to see the beautiful couple on the stage. Now its the time for VARMALA. Here we had start doing Mischievous things. We raised yogi so that bride find it difficult to put on garland. We keep lifted him for approx 15 mins and finally bride side has to lift the bride too. Then came the boring part of photosession or this might be the only event which is remembered by everyone after 20 years of marriage through albums. It was real torture for the couple sitting in front of so many people for so long with same facial expression. Groom always suffers from the turban and bride suffers from jewellary and heavy dress. So this sequence continued for next hour till 11pm. In the meanwhile people had dinner. On the otherside of stage children and some enthusiastic people were dancing and having fun. We waited for yogi’s signal for dinner and had dinner after reception with him and bhabhi. About a dozen waiters were there to serve different cuisines.
On the other hand some people and priests are busy to prepare holy fire for seven steps. Phere is ritual which is only significant part of a marriage. Groom has to take seven vows and bride has to take 4 vows. I dont remember all the vows but they basically are meant to keep bride and groom tied up in a emotional bond throughout the life. These vows are meant to be loyal with each other in their life, to help each other in difficult time. One each vow taken by yogi, bangalor girls were shouted and throwed rose petals on the couple. Soon after vows four steps were taken place, as three were supposed to be taken in January, 2010. Elders have already declared “Achar Samhita”, which means they have to live seperately for one more month
.
Vidayee is always a very emotional moment. From bride side everybody has water in their eyes. Bride was weaping very badly. I didnt liked this part. Anyway it was a nice. I enjoyed this marriage at my best and tried to let other also. I wish yogi and bhabhi a very happy marriage life ahead.
