Mexican groom-Italian bride marry in Banarasi style

Varanasi, Jan 23 (UNI) Two youths from Mexico and Italy, studying Sanskrit-Tantra at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) capped their two-year-old love affair at a colourful and signature Banarasi wedding here this evening.

Alexis Prado from Mexico City rechristened as 'Kedar' and Roberta Pamio 'Ruby' from Venice tied the nuptial knots at a temple in the Nagwa locality here in presence of their parents and scores of western tourists.

The wedding procession began from the house at Assi Ghat, where Kedar has been residing for the last eight years. Seated on a caparisoned Allahabadi Ghodi (horse), Kedar dressed in gold coloured Kurta and Pyjama reached the house where his girl friend Ruby has been staying for the last five years.

The marriage procession including foreigners dressed in signature Indian attires was welcomed with the infectious Banarasi Paan at the bride's residence.

Then followed the 'Tilak', Jaimaal and Vivah' ceremonies with both Ruby dressed in cream Banarasi Saree and Kedar in golden sartorials flashing an unforgettable smile before the curious shutterbugs.

''This is the culmination of the love affair between Ruby and Kedar, who are the devotees of Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva respectively. Both of them who begin their life daily with early morning bath in Ganga river and pujan in temples will now be one forever owing to the bond of Hindu marriage solemenised by Acharya Srikant Mishra,'' said Snehlata Singh, who played sister to Kedar at the marriage.

The priest who solemenised the marriage, Acharya Srikant Mishra, from the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple remarked ''only Hindu marriage can gel forever Ruby and Kedar, who are students of Vedic Tantra and Sanskrit at BHU, besides being ardent devotees of Hindu gods and goddesses and will now stay in Kashi only.'' UNI