Gauri and Rohan - preparations
A few days before the wedding, a small ceremony called the jap clears impediments from the young couple's path.
incense and prayers
Bapuji checks the paper in case we've missed anything
Late one night, several of us stayed up late decorating a room in preparation for more ceremonies.
Kakas and faibas were imported, installed and affixed to their relevant positions.
Director of Operations Arav sits back, mentally checking over the plans one last time...
detailed patterns of mehndi (henna) were applied to the womens' hands and feet
the incredibly skilled process of applying mehndi continues apace - even while both people are on their phones
Incredible India indeed!
the bride's mehndi is the most elaborate of all
as this takes a while to dry, it was time for some hand-feeding
waiting for the groom's party to arrive for ceremonies two days before the wedding
marks such as the graffiti on this gate show members of Mumbai's hijra community of eunuchs that one of them has already collected money for the auspicious occassion in question (which they unfailingly know about)
Rohan's mother with Gauri's grandfather
time to put Gauri on that bajot again!
