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Foreigners fancy tying nuptial knot Indian style

      Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): The impact of Indian cultural heritage on foreign minds has been so great that now-a-days many of them living in Varanasi are getting married as per Indian customs and traditions. From time immemorial, Indian ethos has left an unerasable impression among the foreigners. A good number of westerners (Europeans and Americans) have been so much inspired by Indian culture that many of them in Varanasi have taken a fancy to have their marriages solemnised as per Indian rituals and traditions.

    An Italian girl Ruby and a Spanish boy Kedar who have been residing in India for the past eight years fulfilled their sole desire of tying the nuptial knot according to Indian customs. Charlie, a German resident, who got married and settled in India 22 years ago, insisted Indian marriages are all about family obligations while marriages abroad are only about spending money and visiting the Church. "Foreigners are getting married according to Indian culture because they have read a lot about Indian cultures in the books and they believe that getting married in Indian style is very auspicious, whereas in abroad, you can marry anytime, you just need to spend money, go to the Church and get married," said Charlie. Meanwhile, Snehalata Singh, a 'Rakhi Behan' (adopted sister) of Kedar says that Kedar and Ruby, both strongly believe in Indian customs and traditions and this would surely keep their relationship going forever.

     "Of many marriages, most of them break down but I am sure that this marriage will definitely work," said Snehalata Singh, ' Rakhi Behan' (sister) of Kedar. "I believe that when they have shown interest in our culture, it means that western people are getting inclined towards Indian culture. With this, I believe that the Indian culture which had started vanishing, has now, started reviving once again," said Pandit Shrikant Mishra, a priest of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir. The occasion was attended by the bridegroom's parents and close friends. In a nutshell, the trends among foreigners to marry the Indian way, reveals that the various facets of Indian culture are much appreciated as a part of contemporary life by numerous foreigners.
-Jan 26,  2007

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