Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wedding Preparations in Bhirandiyara Village
Bhirandiyara was our third village today. An immaculate village, filled with women
togged out in their finest. Mirror-embroidered, beaded, draped clothes that were all colors
of the rainbow; they wore nose rings, earrings, heavy necklaces, armfuls of bracelets, with
only one thought in mind - bling it on and let the party begin. Guide, Kantilal, pointed out
that the very heavy nose ring, indicates a married woman.
Wedding festivities, including songs and dances, would take place tonight. The future
groom lived in Bhirandiyara, and stood wearing his ceremonial sword, bedecked in heavy
necklaces while his family bustled around, working on wedding preparations. Sweets were
being delivered, women cooked extra food, swept houses, and tidied up this friendly village.
His family took a break to show us the dowry. A tied-up bag was filled with dresses, oth-
er articles of clothing, and quilts selected by the women of Bhirandiyara for the bride. The
dowry, along with the entire village, would form a procession to Hodka tomorrow (where
the bride lives, 13 km/7 miles away). Once in Hodka, the bride's family would take charge
of the ceremony and food for around 40 guests. They also showed us a photograph of the
beaded headdress that will cover the groom during the ceremony.
I loved that there was none of "this year everyone will wear beige," which carried over
to their house decor. These brightly painted, spacious and roomy houses had inset small mir-
rors (both outside, and inside), conical ceilings, where even concentric circles of slats were
painted in different colors. Individuality counts in Bhirandiyara Village. Goods for sale in-
cluded: embroidered cloth edged with machine stitching, mirror work, pillows, handbags
and totes.
It would be difficult to surpass this colorful village where even children were dressed in their
best, but it was time for lunch at Shaam-e-Sarhad Resort in the desert.
