The wedding we were to attend was on the 27th, the next day.We had already missed a couple of ceremonies the previous day and didn't want to annoy the bride further, so we packed up and left for her place.We were in time for one of the ceremonies, where the sister in-laws to be perform some rituals for the bride.This was followed by breakfast.The in-laws left soon after, and it was just the girls side.
We ended up sitting and chatting with Pragya, the bride and her friends. It was soon lunch time and after a sumptous lunch which included many rajashthani dishes like Dal baati choorma, everyone headed to their rooms for a siesta. Sindhu and I were keen to see as much of jaipur as we could so we headed of to the market.We shopped for handicrafts and other stuff in a place called Chotti Chopad.The market place is a central area and there are differnt markets in the same area, there's bapu bazaar, badi chopad, choti chopad. All these places are filled with shops selling clothes,shoes,handicrafts,jewellery and lots more.
We got back in time to get ready for the wedding.The wedding ceremony started with the Jaimala.This was followed by an elaborate dinner buffet.Dinner was done by 11 P.M and most of the guests had left after dinner. Only the close family remained for the actual wedding ceremony.The pandal was put up outdoors.It was a beautiful setting but I was too shocked by the fact that we were to sit in the open at temperature of 5-10 degrees with no jackets or sweaters! We hadn't realized there would be any outdoors involved so hadn't brought any of this. Thankfully there were small fires put up on all sides and blankets were provided.We sat down to watch the ceremony.The atmosphere was very relaxed and not as serious and reverential as in most south indian weddings.After an elaborate ceremony involving kanya daan and the saath phaeres, they were married.
