Following the solemnity of the church, the air now buzzed with the vibrant, multi-day spectacle of the Hindu wedding festivities.
On September 18th, the Haldi ceremony infused both homes with the golden glow of turmeric. At Hazon's house, he stood in the yard, dressed in a white shirt with a yellow cloth draped beneath. Laughter echoed as his mother, aunt, and friends smeared his face and arms with the fragrant, yellow paste, a ritual of purification and blessing. Simultaneously, in the garden of the Jadeja mansion, Seya sat under a beautiful arch adorned with yellow marigolds. Surrounded by her family and friends, she was anointed with turmeric, her yellow salwar kameez blending with the ceremony's radiant theme, a ritual to bless the couple with a prosperous life. 💛
The next day, September 19th, was dedicated to the Mehendi ceremony, a burst of color and music. Hazon, looking relaxed in a maroon kurta, danced joyfully with his college friends. The center of attention, however, was Seya, resplendent in a maroon lehenga. Seated amidst a circle of her bridesmaids, she watched as a mehndi artist traced intricate patterns on her hands and feet. As is tradition, the artist cleverly hid Hazon's name within the delicate design, for him to find later. The festive spirit was contagious, with all the women delighting in having small, beautiful henna designs painted on their own palms, celebrating the joy of the upcoming union. 😅