In case you missed, read Part 6 here. I saved the best for the last. 10:15 pm. I was accompanied downstairs by Mitul didi and Pishimoni (Baba’s sister). It was almost time for the wedding to commence. Lagna was at 10:37 pm. Lagna is the holy time to tie the knot. But before that, two events were lined up. Event 7 – Shubho Drishti – This is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time on the wedding day. I was seated on a wooden plank (piri) which was lifted up by my 2 cousins (brothers) and circumambulated around Tathagata 7 times – all this while holding up…

In case you missed, read Part 5 here. While sitting on the dais and looking at our guests, I had somehow managed to zone out to my quiet place. It’s like my own little world where I can watch my surroundings from, quietly. No chaos can disturb me. It always calms me down. I needed it at that time. I saw Maa looking at me, smilingly. After a few hours, I wouldn’t be able to look and smile at her whenever I wanted to. What affects a girl the most about her wedding is leaving home. The ache subsides with time, but it never goes away. When I visit home…

In case you missed, read Part 4 here. My phone rang. The assistant make-up artist had arrived. We booked Avijit Paul for my wedding and reception looks. Another good decision like Srejon Imagery. He had sent over a talented lady to do my hair and drape the saree. Before the wedding, Avijit Paul had sat with me and discussed the kind of look that we would be achieving. He was very calm and patient throughout and understood exactly how I wanted to look. I wanted to look myself, simple. And he ensured that I did. The result was amazing. I had chosen a pink Benarasi (a type of saree) for the…

In case you missed, read Part 3 here. The day was moving ahead too quickly. Event 3. Briddhi – a ritual to offer our homage to our past seven generations and seek their blessings for the holy matrimony. Baba was seated at the ground floor room with the priest. The centre of the room was marked and bounded by four decorated pillars. This was going to be the wedding zone. I sat beside Baba. And the mukut (bride’s headgear for the wedding) sat on top of my head. The priest chanted hymns that we repeated after. It felt like a reverie. Event 4. Gaye Holud – A turmeric and mustard…

In case you missed, read part 2 here. We had booked a 9-seater car to commute between our house and the wedding venue, as and when required. It had arrived at 9 am. The 9-seater at 9, as scheduled. The 11 bags took up a lot of space. After a little shifting and adjusting, maa, Adrish, Mitul didi and I were on our way. The location was about a few kilometres from our house – Udayan Sangha Club. A 3-storey building with green walls and long balconies on the top two floors. While this place did house my best day, it failed to deliver on a lot of fronts –…

In case you missed, read Part 1 here. While I was meandering about the house in the wee hours of the morning on my wedding day, bidding the home adieu, Maa had woken up. She had busied herself with the preparations already. The phone rang. Pishimoni (my father’s younger sister) was arriving in half an hour with some other women. Maa would be going with them to the nearest pond to bring water for the wedding rituals. Event 1. This was the first of the many events of the day. It’s called Jol Nimontron/Ganga Pujo (inviting the water god to the wedding). It’s funny how every wedding ritual has a…

The alarm clock went off at 4 am sharp. Just as set. Sleepy and tired, I decided to allow myself 5 more minutes of sleep, like always. That’s when I realized it wasn’t just another day. I quickly sat up and looked through the window. It was dark outside. The city was sleeping. But I was wide awake. It was my wedding day! March 6, 2018. A day of rainbows and stars. Nothing less than pure magic. Just like any other wedding, my day had been carefully planned. My palms had been painted beautifully with mehndi 2 days ahead. It was a surprise for Tathagata (my husband) since I had…