Day Three, Night: Dazzling

There was a Hindu wedding procession—a barat--on the street that night—probably one of many taking place in the month of February, an astrologically favorable month for marriages in Delhi (I learned lots more about the significant role astrology plays in Hindu life at the Pantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur). Most Hindu wedding ceremonies take place late at night and last from three to seven days. A tent was put up blocking both lanes of the street a few doors down from the hotel (this is typical for families of brides that do not have a courtyard or large private space). The groom—who carried a baby--was slowly pulled along in a carriage by a white horse—he, the child, the horse and the carriage were all decorated in glittery white trappings. As the procession slowly moved forward, he exchanged the baby for a blanket of rupees. A rag-tag band of musicians played (quite possibly itinerant bandwallahs that make a living moving from wedding to wedding during the season) and a dozen young men danced wildly as a small group of beautiful young women in glittery saris walked along with the carriage. A battery truck preceded the carriage, powering two or three hand-held towers of lights about the size of small Christmas trees. The lights were carried by men and were connected to a long power cord. Unfortunately, the power on the truck failed so there might have been a noisy discussion about this when it came time to pay up (the bride’s family pays for the wedding). The music went on until 1AM and started up again at dawn. The groom was on his way to meet his bride, and the ceremony would take place over the next few days accompanied by joyous, noisy celebration. I would have loved to crash THAT party…