Meri Naina ki Shaadi

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