A
marriage is a joyous occasion. There is happiness all around. The
atmosphere abounds with fun and laughter. A marriage is a family affair to be
celebrated with close family and friends.
My
daughter, Naina, was married on 2nd December.
Like
all fathers, I too was a happy and proud father that day. But, for me, the
wedding was a different experience all together. It was very profound and
spiritual experience for me.
It was
my endeavour to have something for everybody who was present, so all could
experience the ananda of the marriage ceremony.
For
those who were vegetarians, the food on the day of Qawali and the marriage was
vegetarian, while sangeet and mehendi also had non-vegetarian food for those
who enjoy non-vegetarian food.
For
people who wanted décor, all the ceremonies of the wedding had a different
décor.
Sangeet
and a live band catered to those who looked for entertainment. There were folk
dances on the day of mehendi.
For
people who wanted to experience a journey toward their consciousness, we had
Sufi Qawwali.
For
people who believe in traditions and wanted to see Vedic philosophy reflected
in the marriage ceremony, there was chanting of mantras. The air resonated with
the sound of the mantras.
For
those who wanted to know the meaning of the various steps of the ceremony,
every step was accompanied with an explanation. A book on wedding rituals,
which explained the meaning of marriage, especially the four main rituals
(ghudchari, varmala, kanyadaan and pheras) was gifted to all present.
Like
all Hindu rituals, the wedding ceremony also began with a pooja of Lord Ganesha
“Vighnaharta” invoking him to bless the couple and to ensure that the ceremony
went off well without any obstacles.
We had
photographs of departed souls at the entrance to seek their permission before
the ceremony began (pitra rin). All living elders blessed the couple as did the
teachers (rishi/guru rin).
The
whole family and close friends was gathered to bless the couple.
Padma
awardee doctors and eminent persons from the field of performing arts also
blessed them.
Dharma
gurus of all religions were invited for the marriage, who bestowed their
blessings on the married couple.
I have
often been given the moniker “Doctor with a stethoscope”. But, this was my
daughter’s wedding and for this marriage, I was Krishna Kumar, the father and
not KK Aggarwal, the doctor. I did not wear my stethoscope.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma
Shri Awardee
President Elect Confederation of Medical
Associations in Asia and Oceania
(CMAAO)
Group
Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President
Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
No comments:
Post a Comment