Dressed up in Rajasthani outfit

My nap had revived me wonderfully.  I felt like a new person.  Time to get myself ready for the wedding.  This was the night the groom (Arjun) was to arrive in the village – on horseback – great excitement.  A trip to the bathroom is usually a non-event, but in Artiya, in the middle of wedding festivities walking to the bathroom was an event.  Apart from the many people I passed and greeted on the way, the caterers had set up their operation in the area outside the bathroom.  It was unusual to say the least, and just one of the many things that made me realise that I don’t know myself at all - you see – I would have thought this would make me feel terribly uncomfortable, but in fact it didn’t – far from it.

After completing my ablutions, I made my way back to kiddo’s room where I proceeded to curl my hair and apply make-up – all of this with an audience of note.  Hair and make-up complete I got dressed in my glad-rags (or what I thought were glad rags), and made my way downstairs to join in the festivities.  As I got to the bottom of the stairs I was met by Dilkhush.  She looked me over thoroughly and then shook her head and declared “too plain”.  I agreed wholeheartedly with her, especially after seeing her stunning outfit.  Problem was that I had nothing else to wear…..enter her mom Bhagwat Kanwar.  Bhagwat was prepared to loan me the outfit she had on and then change into something else herself which I agreed to – why wouldn’t I – so off we went next door to change.  We had great fun dressing up – girls are the same no matter where in the world you are.  We giggled like school girls and thanks to Bhagwat and Dilkhush, I was transformed into a Rajasthani lady and felt like a million dollars.

When I joined everyone else I was mobbed.  The women were especially happy to see me dressed up and of course, loads of photos were taken.

Arjun arriving on horseback

There was an atmosphere of great anticipation in the village….we were all waiting for the groom – Arjun – to arrive.  He would arrive on horseback.  I was led to the place where the ladies awaited Arjun’s arrival, and needless to say the drummer was still beating away at the drum.  Such excitement!!!  The video I have added will show Arjun’s arrival (please excuse the jumpy picture - I was being jostled from all sides).  The groom’s I have spoken to all said that their biggest fear was that the horse would buck them off and I know why.  Apart from all the people packed together around the horse and rider, fireworks are being set off constantly, and I got the fright of my life when the first paper bomb exploded – wow it was LOUD!

Into the temple

I have no doubt you will agree that Arjun looked amazing.  The word “Maharaja” came to mind when I saw him arrive…….seriously.  The men in the western world have no clue of how to dress to impress.

It took quite some time for Arjun to enter the village and dismount.  So many pictures are taken and a video camera is focused on the proceedings almost constantly.  Once he has dismounted, a ceremony is held to welcome him properly in true Indian style.  Not everyone takes part in the proceedings and it’s not always easy to see because of the crowds of people.  As with every wedding I have ever attended, a lot of hanging around takes place…..the difference with this wedding is that the hanging around wasn’t boring.

Once the ceremony was over, Arjun made his way slowly to kiddo’s house where (I’m guessing here) he met Rinku, and the wedding ceremony took place.  There is a “temple” in every home I have visited in India and, of course, kiddo’s is no exception.  Unfortunately, it is a very small area and so only the people directly involved were present.  It didn’t seem to take very long, or (more likely) I was just having way too much of a good time, because in what seemed no time at all, another photo shoot was in progress and I was part of this.

That was it as far as all the official stuff was concerned…..it was time to PARTY.  My dancing man fetched me and marched me to the marquee where the men would spend the rest of the night eating, drinking and generally being merry.  This was a unique experience for me – women don’t go into the marquee so there I was, woman alone with a marquee full of men.  I felt a bit like Frodo when he was trying to get passed the gaze of The Eye to Mount Doom to destroy the ring – all eyes in the marquee were focussed on me.  I had “one pack” (one glass) of beer and then slipped out.

I changed into my own glad rags which were now acceptable, and for the rest of the night and into the next morning drank beer, danced, chatted, laughed and generally had a great time.  Being in the village is a fantastic experience because the majority of the guests stay for three to four days, there is no traffic, everyone works together harmoniously – it’s like a well-oiled machine and wonderful to witness.

It was eventually time to get some sleep – around 3am.  In 2 pictures you will see that beds are placed wherever a good space can be found, so that the visiting men all have somewhere to sleep.  The ladies are accommodated indoors.  Tinu and I made our way to the house.  When I got to the bedroom I’d been using I was told by a lady who seemed to be guarding the door that I couldn’t go into that room.  I was sent upstairs to the roof and a mattress and eiderdown were provided – this was where I would sleep, fully clothed in my glad rags.  It was beautifully cool sleeping under the stars, just very hard – the mattress was very thin and I’m afraid I am a soft westerner who is used to certain creature comforts.