...and this is the maha blog of pictures from aasthu's bihey --wedding-- on the 12th of march (last week). the main highlights and the side activities of the day. it was a one-day affair starting with the swayambar, then followed by janti, goddhuwa, kanyadaan, jaggey and bidaai.
the stage was all set in the morning.. orchids, carnations and organza included
.. a fancy jaggey too...
... the venue 'neath the tents...
... cooks were readying the meals...
the bride's mother's hair was also all set for the occasion...
.. and here is the bride, aastha, waiting for the groom...
... up close...
the maiti folks begin to gather...
... while cousins and sisters give company...
... even the back bencher aunts...
... uncles and granduncle wait on the side...
a little nephew comes dressed like a mini groom himself.. greeted by great-grandma
the band baja baraat arrives...
... and the decorated vehicle in its wake...
r loves a... ahem!
... the groom.. raj kumar.. settles down for the swayambar
triple welcome rounds for the groom...
.. the garlands...
the tika
a laba ko mala
he puts her his own mala
.. and the tika..
.. and aunthi...
sebu and pakku watch from the sidelines
... as well as the family audience... including the groom's family many of whom had driven in from pokhara the day earlier
.. and then the first session of the photographs start..
.. with the immediate family first... her side...
... and his side.. (mom yet to arrive)
.. then mamaghar family
.. the extended mamaghar connection...
... phupus and phupajus... her side
sanima and sanoba from his side
more of his family
.. then time for the mamaghar aunts...
muwa with her daughters
.. alone...
.. and with the other muwa!
phupu bhadai decide to pose...
... meanwhile the groom has dressed for the janti...
the dulha party go out to the street for the janti entrance
.. while the dulahi party waits inside...
.. even the little one is waiting...
.. then the team reenters...
.. and is showered a welcome...
dulaha
.. and his jethi sasu shraddha...
and sali seba
the barani preparations...
and the rituals
.. one for the rainy day...
families on both side, including the 97-year-old muwa, watch with interest
barani continues
samdhis
kanchhi phupu sheela and phupaju
samdhini being greeted with a hug and kiss by mami
samdhi samdhini
greeting the janti folks
.. some greetings in return from samdhini...
... tika tala continues...
groom's sister and nephew
aasthu's back on stage with a change of costume
grandma and natini share a word or two
the main members of his family again, this time with mom too...
goddhuwa time..
blessings from muwa
.. and the 'grand' muwa
... from mami...
aunts and uncles
... finally the turn of these siblings and cousin ...
dhogaan for a baini...
...and bhinaju...
mamaghar folks enjoy budo mama's guff
kanyadaan time
entrusting daughter's hands into son-in-law's
lagan beads seal the deal
tilahari nails it all
then with the fire as witness more rituals for bonding and promises are carried out around the jaggey
... gajju plays his part...
i'll crush all your enemies
round and round the jaggey
kaki and son in the sidelines
sushila phupu
great grandma shares a tender moment with her panatini
groom's sisters watch on...
...as do the rest of his family...
.. at the jaggey rituals..
moments to bring the couple closer together
sindoor time.. marking marriage into bride's forehead
switching sides.. only jwaain completely swept aasthu off her feet!
.. the audience is amused...
pretty ladies in a arc
mother prava watches on..
kaka and phupaju do so from a distance
the pasa tug of war between the two parties nearly got rough!
aasthu.. her sindoor covered
time for maur feeding.. whoever feeds first wins!
this video shows who won.. rather tame it was!
jutho eating time.. with kasar
more bonding before the jaggey rituals come to a close
inside muwa poses in front of her late husband's portrait
..is joined by her daughters sushila and meera...
son bears uncanny resemblance to his father in national dress
the three rijal jwaains a generation up
cousins cool off
the little one has changed into another attire.. 'bodyguard' style
... and for the bride..time for the final change of sari.. the home-going sari
in the living room preparations for samdhi samdhini bhet --the meeting of the in laws
mothers in law
... double tika ritual of the mothers...
... and a hug...
the fathers' time for hugs
sanima sasu gets greeted too
the couples' parents after the bhet
mami with sheela, sushila and meera
nearing time to go
round the jaggey one more time
... before farewell hugs and kisses...
muwa, bindadi and renudijju peer for the windows...
as the newlyweds prepare to depart...
.. the car leaves...
the couple at the back along with groom's mother
.. and suddenly the wedding house is quiet.. and emotions mixed..
.. before everyone gathers before dispersing...
iti aasthu's bihey ko maha blog
