His Highness Rai Sinh Jadeja of Maliya's Wedding
Rai Sinh fondly called Nino marries Uma
Shruti, Payal and me - In the car from Ahmedabad to Mt. Abu. The journey was ONLY 4 hours! We had a blast as we ate all the junk in the world on the way there, as Anuj who sat in the front maintained his health by having none of it. Can't forget the fit the girls had when they saw Nino's foreigner friends (the Whiteys) drink 'Gannee ka juice' - Sugarcane juice from a road-side stall. Typhoid who?
A picture of Nino's house/Palace in Mt. Abu. He's done up the entire place in a stunning manner with a lot of his personal style reflecting in the way he's done it up.
He's now converted it into a beautiful hotel and if you're ever planning to visit Mt. Abu - then you have to stay at The Palace Hotel or The Bikaner Palace
The Bombay Posse - Ready to Rock!
(L-R) Me, Shruti, Tanisha, Shalaka, Payal and Anuj.
Ready to head out from the Cama Hotel to Nino's place for the party on the first night there.
Too many people to name AND you can't see everyone clearly anyways but its basically the Bombay posse and the Whiteys with Nino as the centre of attention (nothing changes!)
The Palace Hotel / Bikaner House lit up for the party. Rai Sinh/Nino's family, friends and close relatives were all there. You can see the red carpets been laid out for us special people!
Nino shakin that thang! He can go from being a formal regal Prince to gettin his groove on and gettin down in flash, effortlessly.
Here's him and Payal on the jazzy disco floor. And who can forget Lusty! This was where it all started!
Gettin on the table - Rai'Sin the roof!
Shruti & Shalaka - Modelling for Colgate Palmolive
The Prince and the Tabaif! Shruti the Tabaif (Courtesan!)
Shruti was truly the life of the wedding! Between keeping the boys entertained, the girls in good spirits, the guests star-struck and dancin like there was no tomorrow! Always the good sport even in her cranky moments. After all, it was the Petticoat mein Visphot time!
Takin a walk - One of the functions in the morning that Nino 'forgot' to tell us about is where he's dressed up as if he's going on a long exile, with stick and sack tied on. At this point the family/an uncle run after him and convince him to stay back.. Traditions - gotta love em
The Dilwara temples in Mt. Abu are a part of the Jain religion. Ornate in their work, 5 of these temples were built in the complex. From the outside they were made to look very plain so that they do not attract the attention of the invaders who would have destroyed them. However, when you go inside, its something else.
This temple was built by the workers with the leftover marble and material. The real stuff is inside and no photos allowed! Payal and me made the trek there and were not disappointed.
Leaving for the wedding - The night before the wedding, Nino has to leave his house, spend the night outside his house. He only returns after his wedding to Uma. You can see his fan bearers, guests and other family members with the palace in the background.
An eruption of colours and emotions - as the ladies see off their young Rai Sinh. Remember, women from the groom's side are not allowed to come for the wedding, including his mother!
For those who are unfamiliar with Indian culture - this is not true for all India. Each state has several communities and each one has different traditions. The Rajputs of Rajasthan are known to be one of the most honourable and culturally vibrant of India. They are known to protect their women fiercely and have fought many wars for them. While it may seem different that one's mother is not there for their wedding, one could also argue that kissing your wife in public at your wedding is indecent. Each to their own. Respect your culture and others too.
Gotta love the Sumo - As all of us squeeze into the back of a Tata Sumo desi-style! Ronny, Abhishek, Anuj and Me, below - Vanessa, Shalaka, Tanisha and Payal.
Nandu, Anuj and me as we wait for Nino to make his early appearance- only an hour after we arrive there. So much for coming on time!
Anuj, Shruti and me on the top of Mt. Abu at the Jaipur House
Nino & his ladies! After leaving his home, we all partied it up at the Jaipur House on the mills overlooking the lake. Another stunning property, as we danced the night away. Here's Nino with his ladies as the DJ plays One-Pussy-Two-Pussy-Three-Pussy-Pussy?!
I'm getting married in the mornin!
Leaving Mt. Abu to Udaipur for the wedding in the evening. You can see the Palace's old wing which awaits Nino's magic brush.
You can also see us forcing a smile as we're about to bite Payal's head off for coming late!
Smokers Corner! Over the 5 hour journey-pissing on the road (ahem everyone!) Ipods were all over the place!
Cos even though I delayed everyone cos I slept in, I STILL NEED MORE SLEEP!
Can fit Anuj in a bag!
Tanisha the gadget guru! Ipod in one hand, Nokia in another! Ipods were definitely the gadget of choice during the wedding especially over the 5 hour drive..
Shalaka's sleeping pose - Cos she didn't like the ACTUAL sleeping photo that was taken. Don't miss the sweet sleeping smile!
The Whitey's tanning - This was hilarious! While all the Indians hid indoors, the whiteys would get out and get some sun (Cos there isn't enough in Rajasthan!?)
The Boy's side being received in Udaipur! Known as the Baaratis (part of the Baraat, which is the groom's side attending the wedding), we are received at the Grand Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur. Nino is here too. Finally, the bus ride ends!
Nino joins Shruti, Anuj and me over lunch! Don't know what possessed my roommate Anuj and me to both wear the exact pink on the same day. Spending too much time in the room!!
The Saafa being tied on the baraatis.
Remember Lusty? Yup - thats him right there!
Cynthia, Shalaka, Shruti, Payal, Tanisha and Vanessa - all dressed to kill! If I was the groom, I'd find it quite a challenge to be getting married with these lovely ladies around.
The Baraat - Remember, no women allowed at the wedding. However, the women friends broke hundreds of years of rajput tradition and came! Here you can see all the men getting ready to head towards the wedding.
Couldn't find me could you! There - in the top left, with Nino in the middle of the bottom layer. His father is the gentleman to the right of this picture in white.
Nino ready to rock/get hitched! WAIT! Not without my Royal fan bearer!
Nino & friends - Are we ready to rock! Basanti, Anuj, Abhishek, Nino, Nandu, Shruti and me.
Yes, we know we're gorgeus
Anuj, Shruti, Nandu smiling and me.
The Sun sets on Nino's bacherlhood - and a good one it was!
Pimpin my ride- Ellie Ramu
You're mine! And no one's gonna see your face.
Shruti and the Maharanis - Will you dance for us :)
While the marriage started at around 7pm, it only got done around midnight.. Truly a marathon wedding! But a beautiful one at that!
The wedding is over. Let the Games begin!
After the ceremonies, the newly married couple play a few games to break the ice. This one is a popular one where a gold ring is place in a plate with coloured water. And one has to find the ring by just using their hands. The winner (best of 3) is supposed to be the one who wears the pants in the relationship!
