Here's a summary of the different "wedding events" we had over the past 10 days.... I've described each below, as well as listed them how WE did them chronologically.... However, we compressed several ceremonies together, and some were not in their most traditional order.

Any errors or omissions are my fault.


Day 1 -- Saturday May 21st

I arrived on a red eye flight from SFO to Columbus at about 9 am. When I got to Mr. Osuche's mom's house, the first ceremony was already underway.

A. Adan Pradan
Adan Pradan (give and take) is a ceremony that involves the matching of ancestral lines or bangsas in the presence of a purohit (priest). The purpose is to ensure that the marriage does not take place between close relatives or persons having the same gotra (lineage).


B. Vridhi (conducted about 12 pm)
This is about offering puja (worship) to the ancestors of the bride and the groom. It is attended by all the family members. All the samagri or items for the puja are arranged in a baran dala. A baran dala is a silver plate containing items for puja. A 'Sri' symbol is made in the baran dala. The purohit brings an idol of Bhagwan Narayan to the puja. The idol is worshipped by lighting agarbattis (incense sticks) and diyas (lamps). The vridhi is usually performed by a paternal uncle. Tradition demands that the uncle and the bride/groom be on a liquid diet.

C. Ashirbaad (Around 6 pm that day)
The "engagement ceremony" is a gathering of both families with an emphasis on the exchange of gifts, discussions, negotiations and the fixing the date for the marriage. The elders bless the couple by showering them with 'dhaan' (husked rice) and 'dooba' (three blades of grass), which they place on the couple's heads.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney