07/ Dec 2010
BHUBANESWAR
The marriage preparation for Tanushree (mamuni) my cousin sis had already started. She is the only daughter of my aunt (my father's sis) and so there was a frenzy of activity. Even in my house, my both aunts were busy preparing for the wedding. Sarees. Jewellery. Shoes. Matching hand bags.... even Kuhu - my angel was also preparing what to wear.
Today evening was going to be the special day as the clothes and jewellery of my cousin sis was going to be taken to the temple of the local deity for her blessings. I remember even my mom and grandmom, had carried out the same ritual before the day of my wedding. But I think I was too lost then to know what was happening. So I jumped into the foray with all my zeal into this ritual for my sister's wedding.
So, at about 6 pm my elder cousin brother announced that the vehicle was ready to take us and the local musician to the local temple. So with all the essential stuff, including a pot of water (carried by the bride's mom), turmeric, wedding saree, jewellery, etc the group of married ladies proceeded to the temple. I was tasked with blowing the conch! which though not a big deal, took me ages to get the breathing right. Yes! and as you know, blowing of the conch is taken to be auspicious.... now this did remind me of the Mahabharata... Lord Krishna blowing his conch - Paanchajanya,or Arjuna his conch called Devdutta. The other conches I could remember from the great epic are Bhima's Paundra, Yudhisthira's Anantavijaya, Nakula's Sughosa and Sahadeva's was known as Manipushpaka."
Anyway, we all reached the temple of 'Ma Khaduali'- the local deity and the pujari - the priest carried out the rituals. My cousin's jewellery, clothes, bangles and sindur were blessed for a happy and prosperous happy married life. After all the pomp and glory we returned home feeling blessed. And of course all hungry for the sumptuous meal awaiting us!
BHUBANESWAR
The marriage preparation for Tanushree (mamuni) my cousin sis had already started. She is the only daughter of my aunt (my father's sis) and so there was a frenzy of activity. Even in my house, my both aunts were busy preparing for the wedding. Sarees. Jewellery. Shoes. Matching hand bags.... even Kuhu - my angel was also preparing what to wear.
Today evening was going to be the special day as the clothes and jewellery of my cousin sis was going to be taken to the temple of the local deity for her blessings. I remember even my mom and grandmom, had carried out the same ritual before the day of my wedding. But I think I was too lost then to know what was happening. So I jumped into the foray with all my zeal into this ritual for my sister's wedding.
So, at about 6 pm my elder cousin brother announced that the vehicle was ready to take us and the local musician to the local temple. So with all the essential stuff, including a pot of water (carried by the bride's mom), turmeric, wedding saree, jewellery, etc the group of married ladies proceeded to the temple. I was tasked with blowing the conch! which though not a big deal, took me ages to get the breathing right. Yes! and as you know, blowing of the conch is taken to be auspicious.... now this did remind me of the Mahabharata... Lord Krishna blowing his conch - Paanchajanya,or Arjuna his conch called Devdutta. The other conches I could remember from the great epic are Bhima's Paundra, Yudhisthira's Anantavijaya, Nakula's Sughosa and Sahadeva's was known as Manipushpaka."
Anyway, we all reached the temple of 'Ma Khaduali'- the local deity and the pujari - the priest carried out the rituals. My cousin's jewellery, clothes, bangles and sindur were blessed for a happy and prosperous happy married life. After all the pomp and glory we returned home feeling blessed. And of course all hungry for the sumptuous meal awaiting us!
