English Couple Weds in Hindu Tradition at Salagramam
Friends Antony James Booker and Janet Ann Stringer from London had come to India to learn more about and understand and experience the Hindu faith and culture. So when they decided to tie the knot according to Hindu rites, it was School of Bhagavad Gita’s Salagramam Ashram, in Trivandrum, that they chose as the venue for this sacred moment in their lives.
Swami Sandeepananda Giri, Director and Acharya of School of Bhagavad Gita guided the ceremony that took place during the auspicious ‘muhurtham’ between 11.30 and 12.30 A.M on the 12th of February 2012, in the Gita Kshetram of Salagramam Ashram. A traditional Hindu priest conducted the rituals and Swamiji explained the significance of the marriage vows and rites that followed the Vedic tradition. Dressed in a maroon sari, with jasmine flowers adorning her hair, Janet looked every inch the resplendent bride, while Antony looked no less charming in his traditional attire of the white mundu and kurta. It was tears of joy and emotion that flowed down Janet’s cheeks as Antony tied the mangalsutra around her neck, while friends and guests showered flowers over the couple. When Antony gave Janet the ‘pudava’ (the traditional Kerala two-piece sari), it was adding a special touch of Kerala custom to the whole affair. A wedding feast followed the happy function and later, the couple visited the local temple for blessings.
Antony is a PhD student, researching on the topic of ‘Man and medicinal plants’ and Janet is an acupuncturist. Returning to London a few weeks hence, they will carry beautiful memories of their special day, while School of Bhagavad Gita has the satisfaction of having made their dreams come true.
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Report in Mathrubhumi, the leading Malayalam Daily:
ലണ്ടന് സ്വദേശികള്ക്ക് കുണ്ടമണ്കടവില് മംഗല്യം
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/thiruvananthapuram/news/1444984-local_news-thiruvananthapuram.html |
