My cousin’s marriage came off in the last week of November. I had been especially invited on the occasion. So I reached my uncle’s house full two days before the marriage-day.
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Preparations for the marriage were in full swing. Lots of things had been purchased and the rest were to be purchased on that very day. My uncle was very glad to see me. He took me with him for the purchases that day.
We bought a number of things as per list he had prepared. It was late in the evening when we arrived home with a cartload of things. I was very tired. So I took the permission of my uncle and went to bed.
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I got up early next morning and lent my uncle a helping hand. By nightfall it was felt that the preparations were all complete. Next day was the wedding day. The marriage party was to arrive at four in the afternoon. The reception of the marriage party was scheduled at 8 P.M.
It was a day of hectic activity. A big canopy was set up for the reception of the marriage-party. It was tastefully decorated with paper buntings. A big-gate was got ready. Special arrangements were made for dinner in the adjoining shamina. Confectioners set to work preparing nice dishes to be served to the marriage party. The front of the house was beautifully fitted with electric bulbs. Everyone was busy. No one even thought of taking his meals.
At last it was evening. The whole house presented a bridal look. There were lights everywhere. My cousin put on her bridal dress. Her friends adorned her as much as they could. She looked like a fairy in her new dress.
Now the guests started pouring in. They were served with light refreshment. All now eagerly awaited the arrival of the marriage party. Soon there was heard the sound of the band at a distance. All got ready.
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At last the marriage party arrived. The band played a sweet tune. The members of the marriage party were garlanded. The bridegroom was on a white decorated mare. He was made to get off the horse just at the gate. My aunt performed the Aarti. My cousin dressed in the scarlet clothes garlanded her would-be husband. The cameras clicked .and. many photographs were taken.
The marriage party was served with a grand dinner. Most of the guests present at the time of the reception took leave of my uncle and went away. After the dinner most of the members of the marriage party did not stay for die night. Only the near relations of the bridegroom stayed behind to sit through the marriage ceremony.
The ceremony was performed at night before the sacred fire with the chanting of the Vedic Mantras. In the morning the marriage party left for their home town with the bride. My uncle gave a rich dowry. Partings are always sad. On this occasion there were tears in the eyes of everyone. But they were all happy that everything had gone on well at the time of bidding farewell.