Its been two weeks of celebrations and I`m just recovering from two weddings, each of which have been emotionally overwhelming and full of grandeur. They say - when it rains, it pours!, and what has seemed like a drought has culminated in a grand downpour....for those who are not aware what I`m referring to, this post is meant to update you. For the others here`s the visual treat.
In the past two weeks, My brother (Joseph aka Ouseph aka "The Tiger Man") has finally tied the knot with Japna, not once but twice! Although the two weddings resulted from a request to have one in each in either of their faiths ( Christian and Sikh) I think it is a befittingly grand celebration to solemnize a match made in heaven. I realize that a lot of my readers were not fortunate enough to be able to make it for the weddings and although I cannot recreate the celebrations/ceremonies for you, I wish to briefly describe it so as to give you a glimpse of what it really was like for us.
The first wedding was in true Kerala christian style and held at Josephs home town in Karimanoor, Thodupuzha. The event started off with the arrival of Japna and her relatives in Kerala, the previous day.The bride`s party were housed in two scenic resorts, each located on the banks of the region`s calm and pristine rivers.
The 17th of November was marked as the day of the first wedding. As is customary, the bride and the groom were decked up in their wedding garb at their respective abodes. Once ready, the brides party set out for the church in which the wedding was to be held. St. Mary`s Forane church,Karimanoor, was originally constructed by a priest hailing from the Vattakavil family - a direct ancestor of Joseph by a few generations.
Meanwhile the groom left his house after a brief prayer session to meet the awaiting bride outside the church. The couple were then escorted unto the altar by a procession led by flower girls, bridal girls and were followed by the two families. 
At the altar the couple were met by the priests, specially requested for this occasion. Simultaneously, the live choir began a melodious rendition of a collection of Christian marriage hymns to provide the ideal ambience for a perfect wedding.
The ceremony itself consisted of a shortened form of what usually is seen at normal Christian Holy Mass. The priest went on to bless the "Thali" and the "mathrakodi". The Thali is a gold pendant which is considered to be the chief symbol of marriage. The manthrakodi is the bridal sari, from which seven strands of thread are taken on the previous day to suspend the thali on.
Joseph then tied the Thali around Japna`s neck and the two exchanged rings. The manthrakodi was then placed upon Japna`s head by Joseph, symbolising a traditional protective gesture.
Following this and on prompting by the priest the bride and groom exchanged their vows and the couple were pronounced man and wife. Hugs and tears of joy followed from the two families, as we rejoiced in the occasion.
While the bride and groom completed registration formalities, the guests departed to the groom`s house to await the greet the arrival of the newly married couple in grands style.
On disembarking from their transport, the couple were garlanded with flowers greeted with traditional Kerala drummers and a fully adorned elephant. 
The elephant then led a procession to escort the couple to the doorstep of the brides new home. Japna was then welcomed into the house by joseph`s mother in a brief ceremony which involved tracing the sign of the cross on Japna`s forehead, adorning her with a gold chain and ushering her in with a lit lamp. The two families joined in for a brief prayer before finally being led onto awaiting seats upon a stage.
The M.C (Dr. Thomas Jose (Thommu)- a long time friend and cousin of Joseph)then went on to introduce the couple to the guests. This was followed by the bride and groom cutting their wedding cake and mutually feeding each other. 
Once the two families were introduced briefly in what was Thommu`s unique style, celebration and feasting followed, the likes of which is rarely seen in small Karimanoor town. High tea was followed by dinner and a spectacular dance. I must mention the dance floor was in big demand as the enthusiastic guests and hosts, young and old alike danced the night away with joy.
The dance also included a unique occasion, that involved a dance with all three of us brothers and their fiancee`s (wife in Joseph`s case). A moment to be treasured for the rest of our lives (Thanks Avira for the video.)...and thus in the wee hours of the morning the celebrations halted, more from the compulsions of time rather than spirit, to round off what has been among the happiest days of my life so far.
..but if you think it ended there, you couldnt be more wrong...wait for part II to read about the second wedding in Delhi!
P.S.:
For those wanting to see more (lots more) photos of the event, please click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/gp/71936641@N00/6sxuPo
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