The priest chants in Sanskrit.
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- Geeta offers food to Nick, symbolizing her acceptance of him.
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- Deb produces the dowry, which Nick accepts.
Here comes the bride! Aditia covers her eyes discreetly as, by tradition, she has never yet met or seen her husband-to-be!
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- The bride approaches the groom.
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- Aditi, still borne by her brother and friends, circles Nick seven times. The bearers claimed to have lost count!
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- A scrum of photographers captured each ritual–paparazzi at a celebrity news conference. It was a challenge to take photos without arms and heads in the foreground.
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- Dusty waits, royally attired. This will be important in the next post.
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- Aunt and sister drape bind their wrists with flowers.
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- The bride and groom’s scarves are tied.
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- After reciting vows before the Fire God, bride and groom circle the fire four times while the priest chants.
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- Dale places an iron bangle on Aditi’s wrist, welcoming her into the groom’s family.
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- Ceremony complete, Nick and Aditi present themselves to family and friends.
Married!