Indians love to host big, fat weddings. The traditional customs, rituals and the regal spread of food make them an extravagant affair and we all love them, don’t we.
But, in this age of short films, two minute noodles and twenty twenty cricket games, marriages and their vast customs are also being tapered to suit the contemporary lifestyle. The youngsters want everything at the click of a mouse and prefer living in the fast lane so that everything is instantly obtained. So, it is only natural for them to look for ways to cut short the long and often tedious ceremonies.
Amidst week long celebrations and revelries involved in about every other Indian wedding, a Kashmiri wedding is like a breath of fresh air as its short and simple ceremonies are a relief from the long chain of never ending rituals.
One of the most touching customs is called “Phoolon ka Gehna” (jewelry made from flowers). In this, the bride is gifted with vibrant and timeless jewelry made from flowers due to lack of knowledge about her financial status. Next, the Devgun Puja is performed so that the bride is now ready to take on her marital duties and responsibilities. This is a short puja, unlike the typical Hindu norms and customs, which are extremely elaborate in nature.
The final ceremony is Posh Puja. No we are not talking about Victoria Posh Beckham here. The relatives bless the bride and the groom by showering flowers on their veils and the couples lives happily ever after.
So you see, the wedding got over within a hour and half. The best part is that the couple does not have to look anywhere else for the honeymoon because there is no better place than Kashmir to celebrate love and union of a lifetime.
