Sun | Jan 4, 2026

Union under the stars

Published:Sunday | August 22, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Pause
The bride and groom say 'Namaste' to the audience, which means 'I bow to you'. It's a traditional Hindu greeting given on meeting or parting. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
The bride's sister, Nalini Jagnarine, pours water into the bride and groom's cupped palms.
Joined together by a scarf, which signifies oneness, Ravi Badaloo leads his bride Rani around the fire. They make seven steps together, and for each step they make a promise.
With hands outstretched, the audience offers its blessings to the couple.
Shanti Badaloo and Nalini Jagnarine, sisters of the groom and bride, respectively, express their congratulations to their siblings.
Rani Badaloo shows off the henna on her hands, which was applied on the first day of the celebrations - the Maticoor.
Ravi and Rani Badaloo (second left and centre) are flanked by the groom's mother, Dr Asha Badaloo (left), his father, Owen Badaloo, and Shanti Badaloo.
Dr Amrita Persaud (left) and Nanda Dukharan in Indian-inspired ensemble.
Ravi Badaloo places the wedding ring on his bride's finger.
Rani Badaloo looks at her wedding ring.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

With the lights of Beverly Hills shining above them, Ravi Badaloo and Rani Jagnarine got married in a 6,000-year-old Hindu ceremony in the ancient language, Sanskrit.

The Vivaah Sanskaar ceremony, with components similar to the traditional Western wedding ceremony, took place under the night sky at Club India on Lady Musgrave Road last Friday. However, that marked only one part of the three-day celebration.

The ceremony was a beautiful fusion of acknowledging family, loved ones, the hope of prosperity in marriage, professional life and the birth of productive children.

Dressed in traditional Indian attire, the young couple stood barefooted beneath the Mandap (wedding shrine), a tent-like structure decorated with palm leaves, flowers and shining, bold-coloured fabric. It is mandatory that individuals remove their footwear before entering it. The ceremony, which consisted of 24 rituals, was led by Ravi Ramdarin and translated into English.

During the ceremony, Ramdarin reminded the bride she should walk at her husband's left side, as she would be next to his heart.

Among the many intricate rituals was the Kanyadaan, where the father of the bride, Mohan Jagnarine, placed his daughter's right hand in the hand of the groom to exhibit his consent regarding the marriage. The groom put a necklace around his wife's neck, which she'll wear at special family occasions to signify her marriage. He applied sindoor, a red circle, with his finger, where her hair is parted. The couple then exchanged rings.

keep a cool head

One of the rituals which recognised the significance of the family and the elderly is the Jal Abhi Sinchana. The elders sprinkled the couple's head with water to help them keep a cool head during life's challenges. Another is the Hriya Sparsh, where the couple touch each other's heart while repeating, "I take your heart into mine, may your mind follow my mind. May you listen to my voice attentively and lovingly, because God has given you to me and me to you."

Guests placed petals at the couple's feet close to the end of the ceremony, the Sabhaa Aashirvachan, which signifies long life and prosperity. Guests feasted on a vegetarian, alcohol-free menu which included curried mangoes, curried potatoes, callaloo and tofu, roti and rice. They were also entertained with traditional Indian dances.

Guests included: the bride's mother, Chandra Jagnarine; the bride's sister, Nalini Jagnarine; the groom's parents, Dr Asha and Owen Badaloo; the groom's sister, Shanti Badaloo; the bride's cousin, Nanda Dukharan; and Dr Amrita Persaud.

sacha.walters@gleanerjm.com