14 August 2010, I felt that major transition is going to happen in my life. My identity as Priya Eswara Rao started diminishing and I ensured myself to be a part of Katare’s family.My home was filled with guests , gifts, and lot of things to be carried to mandapam. At 7.30 a.m, my hubby with few of his relatives visited my home for a pooja.
At that time only most of my relatives got chance to see him,(including me :))
As soon as he left for the mandapam, I had to get ready for the engagement ceremony.
As usual with “aarthi” and a warm welcome I reached the mandapam. I was happy to see
many of my friends and relatives were already waiting for me.
Then started the engagement ceremony. Myself and my hubby were asked to exchange the rings, sweets (my hubby ate the sweet given to him instead of feeding me :(), garlands. Elders were doing some rituals and I felt some unusual things happening for fun.
Generally in Marathi marriages,on all occasions related to marriage,”BhetBhettee” event will be there where the parents and relatives of the bride and groom’s side exchange sweets ,sindoor, and garland(but only men) ,but in my marriage,even the ladies and kids of both the sides started performing the show . Then after having breakfast , we the bride’s side had to do “Sumangali Pooja “ at the mandapam,with some more rituals covering with yellow colour cloth around the head. Then At 5 pm one more programme called “Lagna patrika” whereby a final confirmation of marriage will be announced by the priest before the actual marriage.
At 7 pm the actual comedy started, I was dressed in gagra choli(for the first time in life)
(also tuff to handle),my hubby with sherwani and pagdi ,looked as a pakka desi marriage got ready for the chariot ride, I felt embarrasing to go for the chariot ride as it is my area and felt shame to face everybody. Due to compulsion of elders we had to go for a ride.
I really felt pity on the horses which was carrying us(romba paavam),But wat to do?
Sometimes situation forces.
At 8.30 we returned from chariot ride, and again had to dress up to stand in the stage for reception . That was the good time as I could see many people who came for my marriage especially my friends (from my childhood friends to colleagues).
After the reception ended at 10.30 ,we had one more programme called “Gonthal” .
At midnight 12’o clock it started with plates full of green colour bangles, and some elders made me wear all the bangles until my hand is invisible and it continued till 2 a.m.
15 August 2010, “My tryst with destiny” day for me and my hubby.
we still argue that who got caught? :)(ofcourse both), I woke up at 4 a.m(slept for 2 hrs only :() dressed in yellow colour saree and a garland dress where they tried to hide me as much they can with their efforts for the muhurtham to be held between 7.30 a.m and 9 a.m . Elders only dressed me n took me to stage as nothing was visible to me,(even my hubby), covered with flowers and jewels it was really tough to manage. Everyone holded me as I was standing in “AMMI “(rock stone used to grind) and my hubby was standing in a Banyan basket. As usual again with all sorts of rituals ,the priest asked us do many things, the priest was giving something to me and I was placing my hand somewhere else due to invisibility. All our relatives were holding us until he tied the 3 knots( else we would have fallen for sure without any concrete support).
With “Agni” as proof, me standing in AMMI, I joined as a member in katare’s family.
(Actually got caught :),losing the real freedom on d eve of independence )
After all the photo sessions got over, with a good lunch, I had to start to my in-laws place.I tried to control myself the maximum not to cry, but am also a poor fellow on earth bounded with emotions , I cried looking my family members were waving their hands
for me the first time in life, I was feeling like they were sending me off to some place permanently, almost felt like detached from the family and was feeling bad for leaving my parents alone. But then felt like “Change is inevitable”.
Now its new place, new people, everything seems to be new in life.
Accepting everything, the marriage life journey is continuing successfully...
Note: Today is the 50th(golden jubilee) day since we got hitched.
