Japanese couple ties nuptial knot in Kolkata

Kolkata, Feb 20 (ANI): Tomohiko and Chikayo, a young Japanese couple living in Nagoya Ken of Japan, always dreamt of having a 'spectacular' and 'different' wedding ceremony.

The 33-year old engineer Tomohiko and his 31-year old docile sweetheart Chikayo were enthusiastic about the wedding that took place here according to traditional rituals.

They followed all the rituals from 'Mala-bodol' (exchange of garlands), to 'Subhodrishti', where the bride hides her face with a betel leaf as she is carried around the groom by her relatives, to 'sindoor daan', where the groom puts vermilion on the bride's forehead.

The couple even tried to repeat the Vedic hymns recited by the priest during the rituals.

Tomohiko confessed that he saw many Indian weddings on the television and wanted to get married in a traditional Bengali style.

"I have seen many Indian marriages on television. I always wanted to get married in a traditional Indian style. Bengali marriages in specific have always interested me," said Tomohiko.

The marriage was followed by a traditional feast. Ghoshdastidar, the organiser of the event said that it is common among the young Japanese couples to marry in a foreign country.

He said that Kolkata should try to attract more couples and try to develop it as a new cultural tourism destination. By Shankho Ghosh (ANI)