Indian Wedding 101: Colorful & Exciting Indian Wedding Part 2

In Indian weddings, the bridegroom’s headgear, known as the pagdi or safa, is a symbol of honor and respect. It is a key element of the groom’s attire, reflecting the cultural heritage of the region. The pagdi is often associated with royalty and nobility, and wearing it signifies the groom’s central role in the ceremony. Different regions in India have their own unique styles of pagdi, each with its own cultural significance and history. Image source: Viresh Studio/Pexels

Read these first:

• Indian Wedding 101: Colorful & Exciting Indian Wedding Part 1
• Indian Weddings 101: Celebrating a Milestone: My Brother’s Engagement Ceremony Part 1
• Indian Wedding 101: Celebrating a Milestone: My Brother’s Engagement Ceremony Part 2

Preamble

A short trivial question:-

Question: What is worst than having to attend one Indian wedding function in a day?

Answer: Having to attend 2 Indian wedding functions in a day!

In June of the previous year, I penned a brief post on my blog about a significant family event: my cousin’s wedding, which I referred to as Part 1. Fast forward to last Sunday, which unfolded as an exceptionally busy day. The day began with a wedding ceremony in the morning, followed by a festive wedding dinner in the evening. Amidst these celebrations, I was tasked with the responsibility of fetching my father-in-law from Kuala Lumpur, as he was set to attend the evening’s wedding dinner.

The day was a whirlwind of activity, shuttling between various locations with scarcely a moment of respite. Admittedly, I found this quite taxing. Sundays, in my opinion, should be reserved for rest, leisurely computer game sessions, and perhaps some intermittent child-rearing duties. However, the arrival of two wedding invitations, both of which were impossible to decline, signaled that my Sunday would be anything but restful.

As I navigated through the day’s obligations, the contrast between my ideal lazy Sunday and the reality of familial duties couldn’t have been starker. Despite the chaos, there was an underlying sense of joy and celebration that permeated the day. Witnessing two families unite in marriage brought a sense of warmth and community that often gets lost in the hustle of everyday life.

Reflecting on the day’s events, I realized that such occasions, while exhausting, are a testament to the bonds we share with our loved ones. They serve as a reminder of the importance of family and the joy that comes from celebrating life’s milestones together. Although my Sunday was far from the tranquil day I had envisioned, it was filled with moments of happiness and love that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

First Wedding

The inaugural wedding celebration took place in the newly constructed Banquet Hall of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. This hall, adjacent to the temple, boasts a pristine and spacious environment, ideal for hosting various events.

Anticipating a large turnout, we arrived early to secure a prime parking spot, a decision also influenced by my father’s desire to be punctual, given his close relationship with the bride’s family. Despite the hall featuring a two-level underground parking facility, our early arrival did not spare us from the parking challenges, a common experience shared by previous visitors to this venue.

The hall’s design is a testament to the planners’ foresight or lack thereof. The fifth floor can comfortably hold a crowd of 5,000 guests, a feature that impresses at first glance. However, the fourth floor, designated for dining, reveals a significant oversight in planning. The space was drastically reduced to accommodate a mere 300 to 400 people, leading to a bottleneck situation at the entrance.

This congestion is exacerbated by the impatience of famished guests bypassing the queue. Those fortunate enough to obtain their meal often find themselves consuming it standing, due to the lack of seating. While some might express indignation at these circumstances, I take it in stride.

Temple Parking Woes

The situation with the reserved parking bays escalated to a level that could only be described as ludicrous. The parking facility was woefully inadequate, with space for a mere 30 vehicles. Considering the attendance of 5,000, this meant that only 150 individuals, assuming each car held five people, could benefit from the parking, leaving the vast majority to fend for themselves.

The ensuing pandemonium was almost predictable as drivers descended upon the parking area, only to be greeted by the sight of fully occupied spaces and scarcely any room to maneuver their vehicles back to the main thoroughfare. Fortuitously, our early arrival secured us one of the final two spots, a decision influenced by the allure of complimentary parking, despite the availability of paid parking elsewhere.

The event itself, while protracted in duration, was mitigated by the delightful culinary offerings. Post-ceremony, we braced ourselves for the anticipated vehicular bedlam as we made our way to the parking lot. The scene that unfolded did not disappoint our expectations of disarray.

Vehicles were haphazardly abandoned without regard for order, obstructing those parked within designated lines. A particularly thoughtless individual had stationed their car at the critical juncture near the exit, exacerbating the challenge of departure. However, our luck held firm, and coupled with my adept driving abilities, we navigated out of the chaos with surprising fluidity.

Second Wedding

As the morning wedding festivities drew to a close, the hands of the clock had already swept past 1:00 pm. The anticipation for the subsequent matrimonial celebration was set against the backdrop of Klang’s evening skyline, scheduled to commence at approximately 7:00 pm. Meanwhile, my father-in-law’s journey was nearing its end, with his expected arrival in Kuala Lumpur by bus around 5:00 pm. This left us with a scant three-hour window to rejuvenate and prepare for the evening’s events. Despite the time constraint, I seized the opportunity to indulge in a brief gaming session on my computer—a quintessential activity of mine.

Fortune smiled upon us as the evening unfolded; my father-in-law’s early arrival was a welcome surprise. Although we entered the dinner venue slightly behind schedule, serendipity was in our favor once again as the event organizers had also delayed the start—adhering, perhaps unwittingly, to the flexible punctuality often humorously referred to as “Indian Time.”

This delay afforded us the chance to secure an excellent spot for the dinner. The union being celebrated was that of a doctor and a lawyer, and the dinner reflected their professional demeanors: meticulously organized and devoid of the morning’s disarray. Guests were treated to an exquisite culinary experience, complemented by the melodious strains of a live band and an amusing slideshow depicting the couple’s journey. My son, too, found his own slice of joy, claiming a seat at the table alongside the adults, his delight most evident in his enjoyment of the papadam.

The guest list comprised predominantly of individuals from the medical and legal professions, which brought an unexpected but pleasant orderliness to the dinner. For the first time in my experience of Indian wedding functions, a well-mannered queue formed at the buffet, with guests patiently awaiting their turn to partake in the feast. Remarkably, even the children in line were accorded the courtesy of being served first, a gesture that underscored the evening’s congenial atmosphere. The civility was so pronounced that I found myself questioning the reality of it all.

By the time we returned home, exhaustion had set in. My son had succumbed to sleep’s embrace, his drowsiness having claimed him during our journey back from Klang. The day’s whirlwind of celebrations had drawn to a close, leaving us with memories of joy, laughter, and the warmth of shared moments.