A culturally enriching and beautiful day

Over the weekend I travelled to Winnipeg to attend my cousin Jay’s wedding.
Now I knew this was going to be a very traditional wedding but I was not prepared to experience a wedding that has traditions going back thousands of years.
Jay married Veena in a traditional Hindu ceremony, one with ties, albeit modified, to traditions going back to a story described in the world’s oldest scriptures Rig Veda, Mandala X, Hymn 85.
The ceremony took about 1hr. and 15 minutes. It began without the bride being present. In the first 15 minutes Jay was blessed and honoured. Veena’s parents fed him and splashed water on him.
When Veena entered she was dressed in a beautiful white saari. Jay also had Indian garb on.
The were prayed for then were allowed to look each other in the eyes.
An exchange of garlands took place and then the bride’s parents joined their hands together.
A short time later they were tied together in what was called Tying the Holy Knot. I wondered if this is where the North American wedding phrase of tying the knot comes from?!?
I also wondered how many other traditions that we have came from ancient and beautiful ceremonies like the one Jay and Veena had.
After it was over we were treated to a lunch that featured both Indian and North American food.
It was an amazing and culturally enriching day.
On another traditions note, I found I had to educate both Jay and Veena’s family and friends when I called for a dollar dance later that night.
I guess our area has its own traditions too. They did not know what it was but once they got onto it the loonies and twonies came in fast and furious.
–Until then,
Ken