65.Vivaah.

Vivaah- Marriage.

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Adhiraj settled himself on the chair present at the Mandap. Traditional dancers were dancing on the folklores.

Inside the strong and big walls of the fort, a lavish, grand and traditional wedding was happening. And the world was unaware of it. This wedding was of great importance, politically and profitably.

But the people in hope of allying with Rathores because of power and money thirst didn't know that the controlled, calm and cold crown prince was in love. He was in love with a woman who herself was there to set many greed intoxicated minds at their right places.

He looked up as the song changed and she entered. Clad in traditional attire, she was looking enchanting. Although her face was covered with the long veil but it was translucent. The Mathapatti and her Nath were sparkling from beneath that cloth. Her hands were clasped in front of her stomach.

She was walking towards him with grace and confidence in slow steps.

Only if he knew, she was trembling from inside. Her heart was beating fast, so much that she could hear the pumping in her ears. She felt like turning around and running away.

At a point, she stopped walking but the next second Dia nudged her to walk.

She whispered, "It's okay Raina, don't be scared. Take a deep breath."

Raina followed her instructions, she looked up from behind the veil. She could see people around looking at her, dancers were dancing around the Mandap.

And there, he was waiting for her. Another glance at him and again her heartbeat skyrocketed. So being on the safer side, she lowered her gaze without even observing him.

(Mandap. Reference picture.)

She took her first step inside Mandap. Mandap, a temporary four-poster structure with a canopy that forms the sacred space for the holy purpose of Hindu marriage.

The four pillars depict the four stages of life. And the couple entering it means entering in a new phase of life, from being a bachelor to married.

The pillars furthermost depicts the four aspects of human life, Dharm, Artha, Kama, Moksha, that the husband and wife swear to uphold in their life together.

Adhiraj stood up as Raina stopped beside him.

🔅🔆JAIMALA🔆🔅

Jaimala means Garland ritual.

Dia came forward with a plate on which two beautiful Lotus and rose garlands were kept.

Adhiraj and Raina were facing each other. He was looking at her whose eyes were visible now from close and he knew she was looking down all the time.

Adhiraj took one garland in his hand and Raina took one. Raina glanced at him with a thudding heart to know where was he standing. She didn't want to make anyone else wear that garland instead of Yuvraj sa in her shyness. Now it won't look good, right?

She raised her hand and forwarded them towards his neck. Rohan and Adhvan pulled Adhiraj back.

He laughed, "Not so easily Bhabhi sa."

Raina made one more try but Adhvan was fast.

"Okey, I will wait till your adrenaline calms down.", she remarked haughtily and stood back still.

Two minutes passed but she didn't make any move.

"You are no fun.", Adhvan made a face, on which everyone laughed.

(Reference picture.)

Raina put the fragranced and fresh garland around his neck. He followed her suite.

The jaimala is a token of acceptance.

When the bride and the groom exchange the garland, it symbolises the acceptance of the would-be man by the would-be wife as her partner for life.

People sprinkled flower petals over them as showering blessings.

Adhiraj and Raina took off their footwear because now they had to seat inside the Mandap for all the rituals. They both sat on the chairs placed in front of the priest, chairs were of very low heights.

Rohan immediately took the shoes of Adhiraj and put them inside a box safely. Avnisha and Shirisha gawked at him but soon maintain a straight face when Rohan looked at them. They pretended to be in some conversation.

Satisfied with his smartness, Rohan walked to his seat with a shoebox in his hands.

There was a fun ritual, the younger generation of bride's family has to steal the show of groom to get the heavy amount as a gift and young people from groom side have to protect it so to not get looted of their money. It's funny banter.

Raina looked around the mandap discreetly.

It is believed that the Mandap is the Universe under which the man and woman decide to enter marital life.

At the four corners of the mandap, stacks of pots called 'Chori' were placed which were brightly decorated with velvet cloth, embroidery and stones.

These symbolise the four elements Earth, Water, Fire and Air. The fifth element, Space - is represented by the 'gopuram' or canopy on top.

Mandap was decorated with red and yellow coloured flowers and clothes along with strings of mango leaves marking the presence of nature.

🔅🔆GATHJODA🔆🔅

Adya came forward for the ritual of Gathjoda.

Gathjoda, The nuptial knot is a symbol of the celebration of unbreakable matrimonial commitment between two individuals where tying or binding knot means to secure, so when you tie the knot you are symbolically bonding and securing your marriage for a lifetime.

A sister does this ritual to signify that not only the bride is being connected with the groom but his whole family.

"In gathjoda, the word "gath" means knot and "joda" means "tying. After Gathjoda, bride and groom are seen as one unit because it is an eternal bond which ties them physically, emotionally and mentally.", the priest explained.

Adya took the corner of Adhiraj's shawl which was pinned on his shoulder and put few things as instructed by the priest.

"During Gathjoda, five things are tied to groom's shawl, a coin, flower, rice, turmeric, durva grass."

Adya took a silver coin and placed it on the shawl.

"Coin states that both have equal right on the money and it should be spent with both wishes."

Putting a flower, she listened to the priest, "Flowers states that both stay happy with each other."

She took turmeric and sprinkled it.

"Haldi defines that both stay healthy and fit."

She put few strands of Durva or Bermuda grass.

"Durva implies that both stay fresh and energetic like Durva grass. "

She put little raw rice.

"And where rice signifies couple should have enough food so that no one stays hungry."

She took a corner of Raina's veil and tied the first knot with the cloth of Adhiraj.

"First knot for the rights."

"Second knot for relationship."

"Third knot for the world."

(Reference pic)

And that's how their lives were tied for the lifetime. She smiled gleefully at the couple and went back to her place.

🔅🔅🔅

Shirisha went to Akshit, telling him about the issue. Rohan and Adhvan were behaving like commandos for that shoe.

Akshit saw them and nodded. He whispered something in her ear, her face lit up in glee.

🔅🔆KALASHA PUJA🔆🔅

The priest chanted mantras and told Adhiraj and Raina to do some rituals to the pot placed in front of them.

(Reference picture. Imagine a bigger pot with red cloth tied around it.)

A silver pot engraved with designs called Kalasha is placed in front of the bride and groom. The kalasha is said to represent the human body. It is filled with holy water from any holy river. According to the Hindus, this is to denote that the soul that occupies the human body is 'pure'.

The kalasha is topped with a coconut that represents the head or mind of a human and is decorated with five mango leaves which represent the five senses.

This kalasha is now placed on a plantain leaf covered with raw rice or paddy - a symbol of prosperity, fertility and wealth.

🔅🔅🔅

Uttam and Akshit went near both boys and started talking casually. It was a casual talk before but Akshit engrossed them in deeper conversation very nicely. Thanks to his communication skills.

🔅🔅🔅

🔅🔆KANYADAAN🔆🔅

After that, it was the time for the most emotional ritual.

It is mostly done by the parents, but everyone was aware of Raina's plight.

At Raina's request, Dia and Gaurav was doing this ritual. They come forward.

Gaurav took the hands of Raina and placed them in Adhiraj's palm along with few things like water, flowers, rice, and betel leaves.

Kanyadaan or Panigrahan. Where the father of the bride with a very heavy heart takes the hands of his daughter and place them in the hands of the groom, giving away the responsibility of his daughter and the daughter herself to the groom taking the promise of keeping his daughter happy in return.

Don't get the wrong meaning, of course, a girl is not a thing to give to someone but we all are aware of the loving and adoring bond between a father and a daughter.

The daughter is considered as the Goddess Lakshmi, the greatest possession for a father, greater than his wife, wealth or anything. And the groom is considered as Lord Vishnu.

It is the duty of a father to give this big sacrifice and unite the soulmates because they are meant to be one.

Kanyadaan is considered as the ultimate Daan or giveaway in Indian traditions. It frees the parent couple from every single they have done knowingly or unknowingly.

After doing Hashtmelaap (meeting of hands), he hovered his hands over the hands of the couple with a conch in his hand.

Dia poured water from above, which flowed through the conch in the hands of Gaurav, pouring over Raina's hand and collecting in Adhiraj's palm.

Water signifies the responsibility of the daughter which was on the father before. But it flowed through his hand and collected in the groom's palm saying that the daughter was his responsibility now.

When the water was flowing through his hand, that time Gaurav realised that Raina had honoured him with such great respect and responsibility.

He was going to be a father, it was the first time when he was feeling like a father. The thought of giving away his child made his eyes moisten.

Dia was an altogether different case, she was pouring her tears in that water too.

On the other hand, Raina was trying to control her sob. Her soul was craving the presence of her parents. She wanted her father to hug her tightly, she wanted her mother to caress her hair and console her. She was feeling vulnerable.

Rathore couple was also feeling down when Kanyadaan was going on. They looked at Narendra Singh, who was keenly watching the ritual but his eyes were filled with unspoken grief. And that made the determination of Rana sa more strong, determination to burn down Jayant Chauhan and that Sarvesh Rawal.

Uttam had placed a laptop in front on which Nagendra Singh Kumawat was witnessing the marriage of his granddaughter from Shimla.

Kanyadaan was done and Gaurav didn't wait there for a second, the situation was getting too much emotional. Dia who was calm by now hugged Raina from the side and kissed her head, muttering, "Don't cry. We are here for you, always."

🔅🔆HAWAN🔆🔅

The priest lit the holy fire.

The holy fire is the witness -saakshi- to the marriage. Fire stands for purity and spirituality. Hindus respect and rever the sacred fire. So, Agni is always invoked at the beginning of any auspicious event.

🔅🔅🔅

Hawan was going to start soon, Akshit and Uttam were doing their part good. It was time for Shirisha and Avnisha to execute their plan. And they were looking for the perfect moment.

🔅🔅🔅

The priest chanted some mantras which were an invitation for gods.

Vivaah-homa was raised by burning fragrant herbs, ghee, raw rice and millets.

All the wedding rituals like the vows, mangalyam, saat pheras and saptapadi happen before the Agni Kund. The rituals undertaken in front of the sacred fire are believed to follow Dharma. The promises made with Agni as the saakshi bind the man and woman in their matrimonial and societal duties.

After that priest smeared turmeric paste on the palms of both individuals and told Raina to keep her hand on his. Raina did as she was told. Priest wrapped a red cloth around their joined hands.

Now it was time for Phera.

🔅🔅🔅

Shirisha sneaked behind Rohan and Adhvan who were still talking to Akshit, it was a good moment because all the other cousins had gone to have their dinner.

She very silently took the box and sneaked away. Suddenly she tripped and the box fell from her hand. She was going to pick it up but she saw Adya coming towards her. In a panic, she stepped near the fallen box and covered it with the circumference of her Lehenga.

Adya smiled at her and stopped.

Shirisha also smiled, but her furrowed eyebrows were making her look funny.

Adya asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes.", she answered.

Just then Vasudha called Adya, making Shirisha sigh in relief.

She looked up to see, the cousin gang of Rathores coming back.

Now she couldn't carry the box.

She bit her lips nervously, just then an idea came to her mind. She hurriedly took out her footwear and kicked the box under a chair.

Wearing Adhiraj's shoes, she walked towards them.

But his shoe was big for her, she tripped again.

But this time one of Adhiraj's cousin caught her.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

"Yea-yeah. I am perfectly fine.", she stood up straight immediately.

But to her horror, she couldn't feel the show in her right foot.

Seeing the horror on her face, another teenager asked, "Sister, are you okay? Did you got hurt?"

Shirisha blinked, and made an excuse, "Yes. My ankle is paining a bit."

"Let me see, maybe I can help you.", one of them said, bending to see her foot.

"No!!!", she shrieked, scaring the person standing in front of her.

She smiled awkwardly, "No, thanks for coming forward but I am okay now. No need actually."

"Shri, did you get hurt?", Avnisha came on time and almost crashed to her.

"Don't worry. The shoe was behind you. I have worn it. Let's get out of here fast.", Avnisha whispered in her ears.

Shirisha relaxed heaving a sigh of relief," Let's go."

"Yeah, come."

They started walking but both were limping because of wearing a shoe in one leg.

"Hey! wait, why are you both limping. Shirisha got hurt, not you.", one girl asked.

"What is she? Police officer?", Shirisha muttered pissed.

"We are twins, right? That's why we feel each other's pain. She gets hurt, even I feel pain. I am happy, then she too feels epiphany.", Avnisha threw some made-up things.

"That happens?", that cousin asked with confusion etched on her face.

"Yep, absolutely.", Manisha nodder vigorously.

"Now, if you excuse us.", smiling sweetly, both limped away.

When they walked a distance, they looked back. Finding no one looking at them, they both bend down and took off the shoes, gripping them in their hand they ran away.

Uff!! It was close.

🔅🔆SAAT PHERA 🔆🔅

The seven vows,

taken around the holy fire bound two souls for seven lives.

Adhiraj stood up. As for Raina, Akshit and Uttam helped her, because of her bridal attire, veil and not to forget one hand tied to him, it was impossible to get up on her own.

Adhiraj took the lead.

The priest recited the first vow in Sanskrit.

"Om esha ekapadi bhava iti prathaman,dhanam dhanyam pade vadet."

Adhiraj looked back at Raina, and by luck, she was staring at him. He squeezed her hand under the wrapped cloth letting her know how much he meant that vow and will do everything to complete them.

She smiled reciprocating his firm grip.

Groom: "I will never fail to provide nourishment, welfare and happiness to you and our child in future."

Bride: "Your family is just my own from now, I will take care of them and will share your responsibilities."

The second vow echoed in the Mandap.

"Om oorje jara dastayaha ,kutumburn rakshyammi sa aravindharam."

Groom: "I will always be loyal and faithful to you. You will always find me beside you, standing by you throughout the thick and thins of life. I will be with you providing mental, physical and financial stability and security to our family."

Bride: "I will willingly share your responsibilities by helping you in every possible way and I will be ready to endure all with courage and strength."

The third vow was recited.

"Om rayas santu joradastyaha,tava bhaktu as vadedvachacha."

Groom: "I will work hard putting all my efforts to bring wealth and prosperity to family and to educate our child."

Bride: "I will act responsibly in maintaining the resources in house. You are my priority, my love is exceptionally devoted to you. I will be loyal to you throughout my life, maintaining chastity."

After that, they stopped. Raina came in front, leading the fourth vow.

"Om mayo bhavyas jaradastayha, lalayami cha pade vadet."

Groom: "Thank you for being in such a sacred relationship with me. You have made my life beautiful and complete. I promise to respect your and my family. I will respect your wishes and will always include you in my decisions."

Bride: "I will stand by your side in each ritual, family and religious commitments and will walk by your side, giving consent for your decisions. I will respect your decision and will include your say in my decisions. If any danger comes, I will be the one to fight it before you, I can even sacrifice my life for you."

They took the fifth vow together.

"Om prajabhyaha santu jaradastayaha, arte arba sapade vadet"

"We will be with each other sharing our happiness and sorrow with great understanding and care. We are praying together to you God for blessing us with healthy children. We will strive to nurture our children with enriching values and a generous lifestyle.

The sixth vow was beautiful.

"Rutubhyah shat padi bhava, yajne home shashthe vacho vadet."

"We vow to love and respect each other and stand together in times of joy and grief. We are praying together to seek the blessings of God to bestow us with a healthy and long life filled with joy, peace and prosperity so that we can carry our duties and responsibilities towards each other."

And with the seventh vow, they were husband and wife now.

"Om sakhi jaradastayaha aatramshe sakshino vadet pade."

"We vow together that through this ritual of Sacred Seven Vows, we have become husband and wife uniting our soul. We are united with a divine thread of togetherness and we will love each other and be there for each other till eternity. We as a couple will walk together as great companions, sharing each and everything of life, honouring and loving each other unconditionally. We promise to abide by all the holy seven vows with pure and honest intentions that we have promised during the ritual of marriage."

They sat down for further rituals.

🔅🔆SINDOOR🔆🔅

The priest explained, "Vermilion or commonly called as Sindoor is a red-coloured cosmetic powder which is worn by a married woman in India."

"The red color denotes power and Vermilion represents the female energy of Sati and Parvati, consort of Shiva and the origin of every energy of the universe."

"It's a tradition to apply sindoor after marriage as it's a women identity and holds a lot of importance for Hindus. It is one of the 16 adornments (Shringar) of Indian women."

"There is also a physiological significance of putting sindoor. Sindoor is made by mixing turmeric and mercury. Where turmeric reduces stress keeping the brain active, mercury metal helps in controlling blood pressure and actives sexual desire. That's why widows are restricted to put Vermilion."

"It's not only a ritual as Sindoor is the sign of good fortune, good health, prosperity. On the one hand, it symbolizes the longevity of the husband, on the other hand, it stimulates a woman well-being.

According to astrology, it is believed that applying sindoor (red vermilion powder) activates chakras (energy level) on the crown and in the forehead which attracts cosmic energy and showers the couple with prosperity.",priest forwarded the small silver box in which Vermilion was placed.

Adhiraj was impressed by the logical knowledge of priest.

Dia lifted her veil, and adjusted her Mathapatti so that he can apply Sindoor between hair partition.

Adhiraj scooped Sindoor on a silver coin and applied on her hairline.

And with that he got to see her face. Her lowered eyelashes. Her flushed cheeks. Trembling lips. A little bit of Sindoor fell on her small nose, making her look more beautiful. Before he could stare more, veil was pulled down back.

🔅🔆MANGALSUTRA🔆🔅

"The word Mangalsutra is a combination of two words, Mangal i.e. auspicious and Sutra which means the sacred thread. It is a sutra which symbolizes the promise or a vow which husband and wife take together that they will always be there for each other in the marital journey of life.",again priest explained.

"Mangalsutra is symbolic of Lord Shiva and deity Shakti, where gold signifies Shakti and black beads is in the form of Lord Shiva."

Taking the jewellery piece , he tied it around her neck. Making her his, by all spiritual means.They were ready for a journey of togetherness, love, care, adoration, responsibilities, and much more.

Flower petals sprinkled over them.

🔅🔆CHHOL BHARAI🔆🔅

Vasudha went forward for the last ritual of the marriage. She placed a bag full of money on her lap and ask her to divide them between Adhiraj,Adhvan and Adya. She did as she was told.

This symbolises the entire family's financial responsibility is on her.

They stood up and was going to take blessing from the elders. They got down from the Mandap. Adhiraj asked for his shoes, Rohan and Adhvan smiled sheepishly while Avnisha and Shirisha laughed out loud, clearly signalling that they had the shoes.

"Jija Sa Hukum, you can't get your shoes so easily. You will have to pay.",Shirisha chirped.

"I paid when I bought it,now why should I pay?",Adhiraj for the first time in life decided to play along.

"Because this is ritual. Now,a prince will walk out of Mandap barefoot,it won't look good. Right?",Avnisha wriggled her eyebrows.

"Now, a businessman will pay twice of the worth of shoe. It won't look good too.Right?", Adhiraj replied in the same tone.

"No need to give money Bhai sa. Even we have the pair of Mojris of Bhabhi sa.",Adhvan said coming from somewhere, holding Raina's bellies in one hand.

"What? But that's not the ritual. Nobody steal the bridal footwear.",Uttam exclaimed.

"Breaking the stereotypes.", Rohan winked.

"No, not done.", Akshit shook his head.

"Why not?", Adya asked with narrowed eyes.

"You are taking away our girl,and taking her footwear too? Not done.", Akshit sat on the floor folding his against his chest.

"What does that mean? Do you want our poor Bhai sa to walk out barefooted?", Adya too sat in the floor, ready to fight.

And soon both parties were seating on the floor, fighting like politicians.

Adhiraj shook his head in amusement. It was past midnight but they were still high on energy.

After half an hour, Somehow elders pacified the them. Both parties got the Neg (gift money) .

After taking the blessings of elders, they were guided to the dining hall.

Almost everyone was done with the their dinner except bride and groom. They had to eat from the same plate.

A perfect Rajasthani Thali were kept in front of them. Raina sighed seeing it. If you take out all the bowls, then plate was big enough for a human to seat.

All the cousins together were teasing them, telling them to feed each other. Long forgotten was the war they just had. Ladies were giggling continuously making Raina more Red.

🔅🔅🔅

Raina crouched back in her seat. They were in early morning flight from Udaipur to Jodhpur.

Last night, they were done with all the rituals. And after that it was decided that they will fly early morning to Jodhpur. And then Raina will bid farewell from Akshit's Villa at Jodhpur. And with Adhiraj, she will go to Suryagarh Palace.

It will give time to Rathores as well to prepare to for her grand entry and she will get a farewell from her home.

And no, last night wasn't their first night. They both slept in separate rooms.

The youngsters made her seat beside Adhiraj in the flight.

Adhiraj leaned back in his seat and slept without saying anything.

But she was feeling uncomfortable with the saree and the little jewellery she wore. It would have bee so much fun in her regular top and bottom. But alas!!

And now everytime, someone would look at them with teasing smirk and she had to endure it, her red cheeks were provoking them to tease her more.

She looked at him, and then stared at front. She just wanted this journey to end.

Which was your favorite part?

Being a Rajput, it was a proud moment to explain my culture. Of course I am not Rajasthani, but our culture is very similar with little difference because of different places.

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