The wedding procession arrived in Suryagarh under the veil of night. Given the lateness of the hour, it was decided to postpone the wedding rituals until the next day. Advaita was warmly welcomed into the palace, her new home, with all the grandeur and tradition befitting a bride.
Before Advaita and Rajveer could enter the palace, there was a delightful and customary tradition to uphold. Rajveer's siblings, Advaita's sister-in-law Nayantara and her brother-in-law Aditya, playfully guarded the entrance. This jesting tradition involved them requesting gifts and bribes from their elder brother and sister-in-law before granting them entry into the palace.
With smiles and camaraderie, Rajveer gladly offered gifts to his siblings, a gesture of goodwill and unity within the family. This light-hearted tradition served as a joyful icebreaker, further cementing the bonds between the newlyweds and their extended family.
Finally, with gifts exchanged and hearts full of happiness, Rajveer and Advaita were allowed to enter their new abode, marking the beginning of their life together in Suryagarh.
Queen Leelavati, a figure of grace and wisdom, stood before Rajveer and Advaita with a plate in her hands. With reverence, she performed the aarti, a ritual of welcome and blessings. Rajveer and Advaita, touched by her warmth and love, bent down to touch her feet, seeking her blessings for their journey together.
Following the aarti, Queen Leelavati invited them inside the palace, where another set of customs awaited. Advaita, the new bride, was asked to push a jar filled with rice, symbolizing the hope for abundance and prosperity in their new life together.
She then stepped into a container of kumkum water, leaving behind red footprints as a sign of her entry into the household. This act was a symbolic representation of her auspicious arrival.
Advaita was further asked to touch ghee and jaggery, representing sweetness and prosperity, and a bag full of money, signifying financial abundance and harmony in the family.
The couple then lit a lamp in the house temple, a gesture of devotion and spirituality, and offered sweets as an auspicious beginning to their life together.
As the ceremony of greh pravesh, the entry into the new household, concluded, everyone was allowed to rest for the night. The palace now held the promise of love, harmony, and prosperity as Rajveer and Advaita embarked on their journey as a married couple.
Advaita, now in her new home, was taken to a guest room with great care, adhering to the tradition that the bride's face should remain veiled until the muh dikhai ritual.
In the privacy of her room, she changed into comfortable night clothes. The weight of the day's emotional and joyous activities had left her exhausted, and as soon as she touched the bed, she succumbed to sleep.
Wrapped in the warmth of her new surroundings, Advaita drifted into a peaceful slumber, her dreams filled with the memories of her beautiful wedding day and the promises of a loving and prosperous future with Rajveer.
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The next morning, Advaita was gently awakened by Reva, her trusted friend who had accompanied her to Suryagarh. As she opened her eyes and saw Reva's comforting face, a mix of emotions welled up inside her.
In the quiet moments of the morning, Advaita couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness about the life that lay ahead of her. The exhaustion from the previous day had momentarily masked her emotions, but now, in the stillness of the morning, the reality of her new life began to sink in.
She thought about the unfamiliarity of it all—being in a new place, surrounded by new faces, and entering into a family she had only just become a part of. The uncertainty of what the future held made her feel scared and anxious.
Reva, sensing her friend's apprehension, offered a reassuring smile and a supportive presence. She knew that this was a moment of transition and adjustment for Advaita, and she would be there to provide comfort and guidance as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives together.
Advaita, after her bath, emerged feeling refreshed and ready for the day that lay ahead. As she stepped out, Reva had thoughtfully prepared her outfit, a stunning maroon choli with intricate golden lining, paired with a long, flowing maroon ghagra. The colors and patterns of her attire were a reflection of the grandeur of the occasion.
With Reva's gentle assistance, Advaita slipped into her attire, and her long, lustrous hair were expertly styled into a neat bun. As she fastened her golden dupatta gracefully over her shoulder and tucked the other end into her ghagra, she felt like a vision of grace and beauty.
Reva's skilled hands then moved to adorn Advaita with a magnificent jewelry set. The golden choker and the long golden necklace adorned her neck elegantly. Small golden studs graced her ears, while a beautiful mangtika adorned her forehead. She wore golden and maroon bangles along with gold kadas, a pair of bajuband on her arms, anklets that chimed with each step, and gold toe rings (bichuas) that completed the ensemble.
As Advaita prepared to cover her head with the maroon veil, Reva gently reminded her of one important detail she had almost forgotten. The significance of this momentous day came flooding back, and she remembered to apply sindur in her hair parting, symbolizing her married status. She also put on her mangal sutra, sealing her commitment to Rajveer, before covering her head with the veil.
Advaita looked in the mirror, seeing not just her reflection but the embodiment of a new beginning, a new life, and a new identity as Rajveer's wife in the grandeur of Suryagarh.
Advaita, ready for the muh dikhai function, felt a sense of anticipation in the air as she prepared to step into the main hall. Reva gently helped her lower the veil to cover her face, adding an air of modesty and tradition to her attire.
As she stood up to leave, a lively knock on her door signaled the arrival of someone new. It was Nayantara, Rajveer's younger sister, who entered the room with an effervescent charm. With a friendly smile, she greeted Advaita, "Pranam Bhabhisa."
Nayantara's enthusiasm was contagious as she couldn't contain her admiration. "Oh my god, Bhabhisa, your outfit looks so good. You definitely look so beautiful." Realizing she had jumped into a conversation without proper introductions, she quickly continued, "Bhabhisa, I am Nayantara, your lovely sister-in-law and Rajveer Bhaisa's younger sister. Yesterday, because of all the rituals, we were not able to get introduced properly."
Advaita returned Nayantara's warm smile and greeted her, "Pranam Nayantara." The two shared a brief but friendly exchange, but Nayantara's sense of urgency quickly returned. "Oh, look at me, Bhabhisa. I came to get you to take you to the hall, and here I started wasting time. Maasa is going to be so angry if we are late. Let's go."
With Nayantara's cheerful guidance, Advaita made her way to the main hall where the muh dikhai ceremony, a significant moment of introduction and blessings, was about to begin.
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The main hall of the palace was bustling with activity and filled with people. In the center, Rajveer engaged in a conversation with his brother, Aditya, as they discussed various matters. Their camaraderie was evident, reflecting the close bond between them.
On one side of the hall, Badi Ranisa and Rani Leelavati oversaw the arrangements, ensuring that everything was running smoothly. Their poised presence added an air of regal grace to the proceedings.
King Devendra, in a corner of the hall, was engrossed in conversation with his brothers, Kunwar Daksh and Kunwar Keshav. Their discussion seemed serious yet congenial, reflecting the familial bonds that tied them together.
Rajveer's cousins and aunts stood together, engaged in animated conversations with each other. Their laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
The hall also hosted a gathering of wives of the ministers, invited to meet the new bride, and other close family friends. The women exchanged greetings and well-wishes, marking the joyous occasion.
Notably, the hall was primarily filled with females, as per the custom of the palace, where only men from the royal family were allowed access to the main hall. This gender-segregated setting added an air of tradition and exclusivity to the gathering.
As Advaita gracefully entered the room, a hush fell over the gathered crowd, and all eyes turned toward her. She stood at the entrance, her face veiled with the elegant maroon veil, and greeted everyone with a traditional gesture of respect, her hands joined together in a namaste.
"Pranam," she softly and humbly acknowledged, her presence radiating a blend of grace and humility.
Leelavati, with a gentle and welcoming demeanor, walked towards Advaita as she entered the hall. With a warm smile, she extended her greetings, "Welcome, dear Advaita." Her words held a sense of maternal warmth that put Advaita at ease.
Leelavati then shared with Advaita a beautiful tradition. She explained, "Before the muh dikhai ceremony, it is our custom for you and Rajveer to seek blessings from the divine as you embark on this new chapter of your life together."
Rajveer, ever the gentleman, approached Advaita with a fond smile. Leelavati led them to a small temple, a sacred place nestled near the hall. The temple was adorned with flowers and lit with the soft glow of oil lamps.
As they stood before the divine idols, Rajveer and Advaita joined their hands in prayer. Advaita spoke from the heart (in her mind), "Oh Lord, bless our journey together with love, happiness, and strength."
Leelavati added her own heartfelt prayer, "May the young couple be blessed with a harmonious life filled with understanding and togetherness."
Their simple yet profound words were offered with sincerity and hope, seeking the blessings of the divine for their upcoming life together as a married couple.
The next part is my favourite...... Any guesses???