2/7/06: Cousin of the Brother-in-Law of the Bride

Energized by an sunrise outdoor yoga class and a bountiful buffet breakfast, we bid a sad farewell to the lap of luxury aka Raj Vilas and its thousands of pigeons. Our Air India flight to Jodhpur was uneventful, and miraculously on time We arrived at our next hotel, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, and, oh what a palace it is, with acres upon acres of bright red, white, and purple azaleas surrounding the hotel and residence. Apparently, the Raja was a Keynesian, building this domed masterpiece to employ local residents and successfully pump up the local economy in the depressed 30s.

20 photos and a relaxing courtyard lunch later, we headed up to the majestic Meherangarh Fort, also owned by the Maharajah,. The collection of miniature paintings and howdahs (elephant seats) was truly regal, and we inhaled the 360 degree vistas of the Blue City (named for the color of its rooftops--the Brahmin hue as well as a non-toxic mosquito repellent).

Then, the fun really began, as we prepared for our 4th cultural immersion “highlight,” our first Indian wedding. Sunny’s brother-in-law’s cousin was in the seventh day of his wedding celebrations, and we were invited to attend the festivities. Ronna, Susie, and Laura were resplendent in their newly acquired sarees, jackets, and jewelry, while Anne, Rick, and Paul wore their Varanasi bests. Anne adorned her collar with Ronna’s 9-gem necklace, as Paul and Rick were fitted with turbans, compliments of Sunny’s brother –in-law. Once again, we were the talk of the town (literally), as we wended our way through the chai and vegetable stands, cows, and pigs, on our way up to the mansion hotel, owned by the groom’s family. We arrived early, and while “the girls” joined the bride’s party, Paul and Rick met the charming and handsome groom, weary from 7 days of parties, and seemingly a bit nervous about his first night alone with his new bride. Turns out that, as a Rajput (warrior class), he wasn’t allowed within 10 feet of his new bride, until this evening. His turban sparkled with a diamond and silver brooch, and his high-neck dresscoat showed off his trim physique.

From the balcony, we heard the beat of the drums announcing the pending arrival of the Maharajah and Maharani (King and Queen of Jodhpur), and we scurried downstairs to meet the girls behind the welcoming line. With much fanfare, the King and Queen arrived, the queen and her escort exiting the Hyundai, and into the waiting throng of women, bestowing blessings and tiluk on her forehead, before all of the girls exited to the girls party room, with Anne, Laura, Ronna, and Susie in tow. Paul and Rick were privileged to enter the womens’ chamber, where we observed women offering Rupees to the Queen in return for her blessings, and snapped photos of the colorful scene. Back outside in the courtyard, Paul and Rick spent 15 minutes chatting with the Oxford-trained Maharajah about life, family, history, and adventure travel, briefly interrupted by locals offering rupees (to the King, not P&R). We also met and discussed travel and horse safaris with the owner of a luxury hotel/palace in Rohit, 40 kilometers from Jodhpur, before reentering the girls chamber to observe some dancing and pick up “our girls” for a dinner back at the hotel. For six months, we had all been praying to see an Indian wedding, and once again, Sunny made our dream come true. Good dharma indeed!!!
We made our way up to the Fort