Indian weddings are known for their auspicious rituals. Being a Rajasthani, I have grown up seeing weddings with large gatherings, intense decorations, firework displays and a food menu full of different cuisines. Haldi, sangeet and so many other ceremonies we take part in, and all these festival vibes go for 4-5 days long. And that's what goes on in Most parts of India. People try to put the weddings in a lavish manner as it's your moment of a Lifetime right?
Oh, wait! It's full-on Wedding Season in India right now and that's what we are seeing all the time while scrolling Instagram or Facebook.
Have you ever wondered how weddings happen in mountains? Recently I attended a local Himachal Wedding at a height of 7700 ft while trekking to Grahan Village near Kasol, Himachal Pradesh. This wedding was different from what we have seen around us, and I was amazed to see how it binds the whole village together.
P.S: Grahan is very scenic and beautiful village. Do go for this beautiful village trek when you are around Kasol next.
Grahan Village Wedding
Unlike the wedding in flat areas, the wedding in mountains is different. These remote areas at height are not connected via roads, and so the Groom side treks for hours to reach the bride's place. To reach Grahan Village, they needed to trek for almost 2 hours. I wonder how our weddings are about getting ready and stepping directly into the wedding hall.
The wedding in these villages is special. The whole of the village is part of the wedding since people in small areas tend to know everyone. Grahan has got 3 Village temples, as part of the wedding, the bride and groom visits every temple. Their families dance it out all the way while the procession goes on from one temple to another.
P.S: Almost all the dogs of the village were put on `Tika` with color (Abir) on the occasion of wedding. They believe in including everyone in their happy moment
Village Temple
Indeed the Himachal villages have a beautiful view around. Getting married in the mountains is what many of us dream for. Grahan Village, a small residential area in the valley filled with locals who have had their houses for more than 200 years. Temple here are build in pahadi tradition and one of its kind in the valley. This temple is the main one from where every procession starts which takes place in the Village.
The wedding starts with the groom side's welcome in the Village followed by rituals at Temples of the Village. After that bride's family perform the regional dance Naati/Kharait in front of the plain area near Temple dressed in Local traditional dress.
All these rituals are followed by lunch which includes the local cuisines. I loved the fact that instead of having 20-30 dishes which is usual in Big Fat Indian weddings, these village weddings have simple food which people can eat with love and have no wastage.
People were so loving here and even if I was not the guest but just a passer-by, they invited me and shared things about their culture. Kids around were roaming and asked to come and play along. They introduced me to the bride's family and we all danced together.
These beautiful girls got so friendly in short period that they wanted me to stay along and attend full wedding. I was awwwed with everyone's sweet gesture.
To add about this village's beauty, you will find absolutely amazing view while taking a stroll in the village.
Personally, I believe instead of spending a large amount of money on fancy stuff to make our weddings Lavish how about we start having low key weddings. And probably use this money in traveling places. Even middle-class families go an extra 20 miles, to the extent of taking loans for their son- or daughter's wedding. This results in a liberal wastage of resources, leading to a sense of withdrawal right after the end of celebrations.
Low-Key weddings will make things easy for those who need to do it for the sake of `Log kya kahenge ?`
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