As Advaita approached the mandap, the eyes of all in attendance were drawn to her, captivated by her beauty and grace. She moved with poise and elegance, each step taking her closer to Rajveer.
Rajveer, the groom, stood in anticipation as he beheld his bride's approach. His eyes sparkled with love and admiration, and a smile of sheer joy graced his face.
Advaita, now standing beside Rajveer in front of the sacred fire pit, prepared to embark on the sacred rituals that would bind them together in matrimony. The priest, a figure of wisdom and piety, guided them through each step with reverence and solemnity.
A maid, standing nearby, held a plate adorned with two beautiful garlands, one for the bride and one for the groom. This was the moment of the varmala ceremony, a symbolic exchange of garlands signifying their acceptance of each other as partners in life.
With steady hands, Rajveer picked up a garland and gently placed it around Advaita's neck. The assembly watched with bated breath as this ritual unfolded, a moment filled with love and promise.
Advaita, her face modestly covered, reached for the other garland. With the assistance of her brothers, she placed it around Rajveer's neck, sealing their commitment to each other in this beautiful exchange.
The assembly erupted in joyous applause, celebrating the union of two souls destined for each other.
As the priest lit the holy fire in the firepit, its flickering flames cast a warm and sacred glow over Rajveer and Advaita. They sat in front of the fire, their hearts filled with anticipation and devotion, ready to perform the sacred rituals that would unite them.
The priest chanted ancient mantras, their resonant sounds carrying the blessings of the divine into the hearts of the couple. He guided Rajveer and Advaita through each ritual with precision and reverence.
The moment for the gathbandhan had arrived, a ritual that symbolized the eternal bond between husband and wife. Rajveer's sister, Nayantara, her face veiled in modesty, came forward. With a gentle and loving touch, she tied the end of Rajveer's scarf to Advaita's dupatta, binding them together in a beautiful knot.
Following the gathbandhan, it was time for the kanyadan, a moment of profound significance. King Devendra, with a voice that resonated with authority and love, began by explaining their family lineage to Rajveer. He asked Rajveer if he could promise to take on the responsibility of Advaita, to protect and care for her throughout their lives.
Similarly, Advaita was asked if she was willing to accept Rajveer's family and his surname, a symbol of her commitment to this new journey.
With a sense of solemnity, King Devendra placed his daughter's hand over Rajveer's hand, signifying the transfer of responsibility and care. He asked Rajveer to accept Advaita as his beloved wife, and Rajveer, with a voice filled with love and determination, accepted this responsibility.
The couple then took an oath, pledging to support and stand by each other through all of life's challenges and joys. Their words were a testament to the depth of their commitment and the love that bound them.
As the sacred ceremony continued, Rajveer and Advaita embarked on the ritual of the Saptpadi, or the Seven Vows, symbolizing their commitment to each other and the journey they were about to undertake.
Phera 1:
Rajveer: "I will love, cherish, and provide for you and our children. You will support me and offer me food."
Advaita: "I will honor you. I take upon myself the responsibilities of the house and children."
Phera 2:
Rajveer: "I promise to support you forever. Together, we will defend our family and home."
Advaita: "I vow to stand side by side with you in protecting our family and home."
Phera 3:
Rajveer: "I promise to work for the prosperity of our family. I pledge to be faithful to you and lead a spiritual life."
Advaita: "I promise to be faithful to you and support you."
Phera 4:
Rajveer: "I declare my good fortune in marrying you. I pray for a happy life and good children."
Advaita: "I will do my best to please you."
Phera 5:
Rajveer: "I pray for the happiness and wellbeing of our family. May we have righteous and obedient children."
Advaita: "I will trust and honor you. I will be with you always."
Phera 6:
Rajveer: "May we be happy together forever."
Advaita: "I will always be by your side in your endeavors."
Phera 7:
Rajveer: "With this last Phera, we forever belong to each other."
Advaita: "I am delighted to be your wife. May we be together forever."
With each round around the holy fire and with every vow they took, their commitment deepened, and their souls became intertwined. The grinding stone, pushed by Advaita's toe, symbolized their shared determination to overcome challenges together, warding off obstacles from their lives.
As they completed the seventh and final round, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of fulfillment and joy. Rajveer and Advaita had pledged their love, trust, and support to each other, and their journey as husband and wife had officially begun, bound by the sacred vows and witnessed by their families and loved ones.
The sindurdan ceremony marked a significant moment in Rajveer and Advaita's wedding. As per tradition, the priest asked Rajveer to apply sindur, vermilion, in the parting of Advaita's hair. To do so, Advaita's mother, Queen Padmavati, came forward and helped Rajveer by gently lifting her veil, ensuring that her face remained modestly covered, revealing only the part of her hair where the mangtikka rested. With care and devotion, Rajveer applied the sindur.
Following this sacred act, a priest handed Rajveer a sacred chain, the mangal sutra. He delicately tied it around Advaita's neck, signifying their marital union.
With the exchange of sindur and the mangal sutra, the wedding ceremony reached its culmination. The priest declared them husband and wife, their destinies forever intertwined.
Rajveer and Advaita rose from the wedding altar, their hearts full of love and joy. They sought blessings from the elders by touching their feet, a gesture of respect and reverence, seeking their best wishes for a life filled with love and prosperity.
As they stood before their families and friends, husband and wife, they looked forward to the journey ahead, bound together by tradition, love, and the blessings of their loved ones.
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The wedding feast was a grand affair, with delicious dishes served by the attentive maids. Laughter and joy filled the air as the guests and the newlywed couple enjoyed the sumptuous meal.
However, the time had come for the most emotionally challenging part of the wedding – the Bidai ceremony. As Advaita gazed at herself, leaving her family behind, her emotions overcame her, and she broke into sobs. Her brothers, understanding the weight of this moment, hugged her tightly, their own eyes filled with tears.
Siya and Dhruv, knowing that their beloved buasa was soon to leave, couldn't contain their grief and cried out loudly, their voices echoing their sorrow. Queen Padmavati, tears glistening in her eyes, tried to console Advaita with gentle words and soothing gestures. King Devendra, his eyes glassy with emotion, also embraced his daughter, offering silent support.
Meera, Nandini, and Amrita, shared in Advaita's pain, their eyes welled up with tears as they hugged her and bid her farewells filled with love and good wishes.
Eventually, with the collective strength of her family and loved ones, Advaita managed to compose herself. It was time for her to leave the palace and embark on her new life with Rajveer. As she made her way to the exit, she threw rice behind her as per tradition, and Queen Padmavati collected them in her dupatta, symbolizing the hope for a prosperous and abundant life ahead.
Advaita's brothers, with heavy hearts, helped her into a palki, lifting it themselves to bid her a tearful farewell. The entire palace witnessed this emotional scene, a testament to the depth of love and the bittersweet nature of the Bidai ceremony.
As the procession prepared to leave for Suryagarh, King Devendra, with a fatherly and protective demeanor, approached Rajveer. With a heartfelt tone, he spoke, "Rajveer, I entrust you with the most precious treasure of our family, Advaita. Take care of her, protect her, and cherish her. She is now your responsibility."
Advaita's brothers, with a mixture of love and jest, added their own sentiments. Arjun playfully threatened Rajveer, "Remember, she's our little sister. You better look after her well, or you'll have all of us to answer to!"
As Ranvijay chimed in, "Indeed, we'll be keeping an eye on you, brother-in-law. Advaita's happiness is paramount to us."
With these parting words and playful warnings, Rajveer was reminded of the profound responsibility and trust that had been placed upon him. He nodded with gratitude and determination, assuring them that he would honor their words and care for Advaita with all his heart.
with tears in my eyes, i bid advaita farewell....sob sob... Good luck for your upcoming journey... your dearest author tells you it won't be very easy...😝