TOP 5 WEDDING DESTINATION IN INDIA

Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur

Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest private residences in the world – set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. Designed by the renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester and embellished with exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin, the palace is a blend of Eastern and Western architectural influences.

If you want the feel of an ancient royal wedding then this is just the place -or should say palace- for you. The hotel offers a host of wedding options through its Palace Services ranging from a traditional elephant welcome, a magical gala to rainbow-hue Rajasthani costumes and ambience. What better way to start your married life than a grand royalwedding.

Vivanta by Taj, Holiday Village- Goa

Vivanta by Taj, Holiday Village is a place that truly reflects the spirit of Goa. The charming village flirts with the seafront while the Goan-Portuguese architecture is reflected across the property. Spread across a lush landscape, the 142 renewed cottages and villas play hide & seek with the gardens and swinging palms.

Whatever be your preference – an intimate gathering or an extravagant affair, a traditional ceremony or a modern theme based fun party, the Vivanta by Taj deliver it for you. 

Taj Falaknuma Palace– Hyderabad

If you truly want to feel like royalty from the days gone by then the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad is the perfect destination for your wedding. After ten years of sensitive restoration, the Taj has infused new life into this sixty room private palace to offer visitors a glimpse of the imperial lifestyle of the Nizams who governed the legendary city o Hyderabad.

Spread across 32 acres, the Palace offers several unique venues, themes and experiences to make sure your wedding is opulent, grand and regal. Amongst its various celebration dining venues is the 101 Dining room which boasts the largest dining table in the World and can accommodate 85 guests. The room which is one of the largest rooms in the palace boasts of five enchanting Belgian chandeliers. Whether you choose from the Grand Royal welcome, the Rajasthani garden or the Shikaarka khan you are sure to experience the extravagance of the ‘then’ with all the comfort of the ‘now’.

Vivanta By Taj Fisherman’s Cove- Chennai

The resort is built on the ramparts of a Dutch fort and is almost one with the Bay of Bengal. With its charm and individual character the resort is an idyllic setting for a seaside wedding.

Like all the Vivanta by Taj properties the renewed villas and rooms are a delight to stay in, but what sets this resort apart are the delightful and detailed theme options for weddings. Apart from the grand Indian traditional setup, you can choose from a South Indian Fare, a Beach Contemporary setup, a Romantic wedding, a Pure Elegant White theme or a Floral Fantasy. Each of these has been created with painstaking details. Our favourite- the Romantic wedding theme: a heady mix of the beach with beautiful moonlit waters, flowers, fabric and soft lazy music makes you want to fall in love again and again and again…

Jai Mahal Palace – Jaipur

Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur the former residence of the Prime Minister of the princely state of Jaipur, is steeped in history. The majestic palace, a vast complex of regal rooms, pretty pavilions and charming colonnades set amidst 18 acres of landscaped gardens, traces its origins to 1745. The heritage palace has been painstakingly restored and recently refurbished to offer guests the exclusive experience of a royal lifestyle complemented by legendary Taj hospitality. The renovated lobby exudes a stylish, warm and inviting charm.

The stately Moghul Gardens, resonant with the call of peacocks, is a formal multi-level, quartered garden with pavilions, water channels, flowerbeds, ponds and stone pathways. With its blend of history, elegance and luxury, Jai Mahal Palace is a perfect venue for a high profile destination wedding. Combined with the backdrop of the magnificent Palace, the Moghul Gardens provide the ideal settings for a Rajasthani royal Wedding. Various family events can be combined with the Royal Themes like “Elephant Polo” to ensure a glorious imperial wedding.

VIVID TYPES OF WEDDING IN INDIAN CULTURE

look at the way weddings are conducted as per the different cultures and traditions in India.

Maharashtra Wedding

Maharashtrian wedding are a simple affair. With great emphasis laid on the rituals, the wedding ceremony of the Maharashtrians reflects a unique sense of elegance. They follow various rituals like Ganpati Pujan (worshipping of Lord Ganesha) , Gaurihar Pujan (bride prays to Goddess Paravati in a yellow sari gifted by her maternal uncle) , Lagna Muhurat (is the ritual where the bride and the groom stands facing each other with the garland separated by a thin white cloth as a partition between them while the priest chants the verses. This ritual is completed when the bride and the groom exchange garlands) , Kanyadaan (biding good bye to bride), Laxmi Narayan Pujan (The bride's parents now worship the couple as they are considered to be the avatar of Lord Narayan and his wife Goddess Laxmi), Akshataropan (showering of unbroken rice) , Mangalsutra bandha (Putting Magalsutra around the neck of the bride) , Vivah Hom( The priest ask the couple to repeat the marriage oath in front of the fire) Lajja Hom ( a ritual of putting ghee and puffed rice into the fire), Saptapadi (is a ritual of taking 7 pheras around the fire).

They do have some lighter moments too, like the bride’s mother twisting the groom’s ear, the couple feeding each other sweets and taking names of each other in verses. With changing times, an element of contemporary style has been infused into the traditional attire, Jewellery, food preparation etc. And some rituals are given a go-by mainly because of the lack of time.

Bengali Wedding

Bengali weddings are traditionally in two parts: the 'gaye holud, the wedding ceremony called Bibahobashor, and the reception known as Bou-bhaat. These take place on separate days. The first event in a wedding is Ashirvaad, where the elders of both families assemble to bless the bride and groom to-be with gifts of gold, silken clothes and dhan-durbo(husked rice and a special grass),signifying wealth, prosperity and well-being. The groom and bride may as well exchange rings, but this is not a part of the tradition Bengali wedding however. This marks the beginning of the elaborate wedding rituals.

Muslim Wedding

In Muslim wedding before the start of the ceremony they apply Ubtan to the Bride and the Groom followed by functions like Haldi Mehendi and the wedding ceremony where the Imam recites the sermons which is called Nikah during which a Mahr( a marriage gift given from the grooms family which consist of money or Jewellery)  is given to the bride from the grooms end, After the nikah sermons are over,the bride and the groom accept each other by saying “Kabool Hei”(I accept).

The next day there is a dinner party at the Grooms house which is called “Walima” (reception hosted for the bride’s family by the groom’s family). There are many lighter moments like Brides sister hiding the groom’s shoe and returning back only in exchange to the demanded amount of money, sister of the groom putting surma in the groom’s eye wherein she gets money in exchange, Bride and the Groom hunting a gold ring in the bowl full of milk and water. Then there is Ruksati which is also called Bidai which I believe is common in most of the cultures.

Gujarati Wedding

Gujarati people are vibrant and lively people. They love to celebrate all their festivals and ceremonies with great pomp and show and Gujarati marriage ceremonies are thus no exception.

A typical Gujarati Wedding begins with Sagaii or engagement. It is actually the first formal approval of marriage in the Gujarati community. The wedding rituals of a Gujarati Wedding ceremony are very interesting because of the traditional ritualistic pattern.

Like other traditional Indian marriage Jaimala Varmala (Garland exchange ceremony), Kanya Daan (which means giving away of bride)  and Mangal Phera (walking around the fire) are the rituals that are solemnized in the wedding apart from exclusive Gujarati rituals like Madhuparka (Where Grooms feet are washed), Hastamilaap (the groom's scarf or shawl is tied to the bride's saree), Saubhagyavati Bhava (ritual wherein several elderly, married women from the bride's side of the family whisper "aashirwaad" which is also called as blessings)and Chero Pakaryo (This funny ceremony entails the groom catching hold of his mother in law's saree and asking for more gifts). The post wedding ceremonies are equally interesting. An emotional ‘Vidai’ (biding good bye to bride), ‘Ghar Nu Laxmi’ i.e. welcome ceremony of the bride at groom’s home and ‘Aeki Beki’, an interesting game to find out who will rule the household are some interesting ceremonies of a Guajarati Ceremony.

Kashmiri Wedding

Kashmiri wedding ceremonies are also quite simple and conducted in accordance with their own customs and rituals. The wedding procession is welcomed at the venue, wherein the fathers of the couple exchange nutmeg as symbol of eternal friendship.

The bride and the groom are fed nabad (Misri, Sugar lumps) and a dwar puja( this Puja is performed when the groom arrives with the baraat) is conducted before going to the mandap for wedding ceremony. It is quite similar to the Hindu wedding and consists of seven pheras in front of the sacred fire, amidst mantras. After this the couple feeds each other with rice and finally the Vidai ceremony takes place, as per which the bride leaves for her marital home with her husband.

Parsi Wedding

Parsi marriage is known as 'Lagan' and is conducted with great zeal and fervor. The customs and traditions observed in the Parsi marriage are quite different from the traditional Hindu marriage. This makes them a lot more fun and interesting. The rituals performed during the wedding are quite simple otherwise and provide full opportunity for enjoyment. For a Parsi wedding a stage is set in a baug or agiary, the Fire Temple. The priest circles the couple with a string, seven times. On the seventh round the couple is supposed to throw rice at each other from over the curtain. Whoever does it first, is supposed to rule the household.`

Punjabi Wedding

Punjabi wedding are strong reflection of Punjabi culture. Just like the opulent culture of Punjab, Punjabi weddings are quite fun. They are conducted lavishly and celebrated with extreme gaiety. It is difficult to resist the fervor of these weddings as they comprise of traditional folk dances such as Bhangras and Giddas. To rejoice the special occasion like marriage, there are number of rituals, which are performed before and after the wedding. These rituals at times, seem to be just an excuse to celebrate and have fun.

 To name few rituals conducted Chuda (a set of red and cream ivory bangles arranged by Maternal Uncle and Aunty that is touched by all present. People touch the chuda and give their heartiest wishes to the girl for her future married life), Vatna (Four lamps are lit and the bride is made to sit facing the lamp so that the glow of the lamp is reflected on bride’s face. Vatna involves applying of paste made by turmeric powder and mustard oil, Ghara Ghardoli (is a ritual where the bride and the groom at their respective place are made to have bath with the holy water before getting ready), Milni Ceremony (the brides close relatives gives a warm welcome to the groom and their relatives by sprinkling rose water and giving Shagun (small token of gift). Varmala (exchange of garlands between the bride and the groom) Kanyadan (biding the bride goodbye) & pheras (going around the sacred fire) these are few of the rituals in Punjabi wedding.

Catholic Wedding

Considered one of the seven sacraments, or channels to God's grace, the wedding ceremony is a serious affair in the Catholic Church full of deep spirituality and rich symbolism.  Like other culture catholic tradition does not have so many rituals as compared to the other culture we have seen so far, here’s what to expect.

Introductory Rites (Catholic weddings begin with an opening prayer by the priest, naming the couple and asking for God's blessings on their wedding day), Liturgy of the Word (The readers (often family members) read Biblical passages selected by you and preapproved by the priest, followed by a short sermon about marriage given by the priest.  Rite of Marriage (couple declaring their commitments & taking vows), Exchange of Rings (I think this is self explanatory), Mass (Final Prayer where the priest as for sign of peace and nuptial Blessings).  

Potential of the ordinary day to day objects

Sakir discovers a way to reveal the artistic potential of the ordinary every-day objects lying around us.

If you think that TP’ing is the only alternative use for toilet paper, 

the Trans-Layers installation by Sakir Gökcebag will broaden your horizons.

A Turkish artist, currently based in Germany, thought of a way to set up multiple rolls of toilet paper into surprisingly beautiful forms and patterns, creating an urban and minimalism installation.

Previously, Sakir has also used brooms, umbrellas, clothes hangers, clocks and such in his work is the result of a close observation of the objects’ form, function and intrinsic qualities.

It’s not the use of the object that matters it’s the point of thinking beyond ordinary objects use, by looking at its shape, size, texture, and nature.

All of this when gaze or thinking out of the box gives an evolution of remarkable unique installations.

photo shoot working (ideas)

Pop Art Fashion

Pop Art Fashion– Shun It Or Adapt It?

Pop art had first emerged somewhere in the 1950’s and was initially a representation of modern influences and pop culture that was prevalent in that era. Today the images of iconic figures, pin up girls and starlets merged withgraphic shapes and bold colors had turned these pieces into pop art pieces that are very popular with main stream audiences. oday pop art has been inspiring many art looks that show case icons, celebrities and different objects in an array of fluorescent and bold colors that seem to still have an influence on many of the trends that are followed by a youthful and more modern crowd. These include candy colored Harajuku spreads to the pop art portraits that are very playful, pop art fashion is one thing that has become very popular the styles that many designers create show case tributes to the relevant and modern aspects in our culture that seem to be timeless.

Pop art does influence fashion in many ways-by providing it with stunning colors or geometric patterns which are normally printed on the fabric that is then used to create a garment that has modern aspects to it. This influence can also be seen in the textures and the shapes of the clothing. This influence was at it highest during the 1960’s when psychedelic art movements and fashion was all the rage and had even created famous artists like Andy Warhol.

The most common fashion items included platform shoes and wide rimmed sunglasses- these are certain pop art fashion aspects that are still present in modern fashion.

Pop art was given a whole new meaning with the emergence and influence of street art. This is the current trend that can be seen in the runway collections of international fashion houses like Chanel, Celine and Prada.

They have collaborated with graffiti artists such as Dan Witz, Banksy, C215, David Choe and Judith Supine, who have developed global reputations for the spectacular designs that they create.

Top Irish urban artist, Maser, has created some colorful canvases and other innovative pieces have been spotted in high streets. Maserr and teamed up with designer Shelley Corkey to create pieces that would be a collaboration or a synergy of street art and fashion. Pop art influences designers in many ways and even inspires new looks.

Colour scheme development from actual photograph

Color physiology and its meaning