Author: P K Surendran
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 30, 2005
Introduction: Knot in style: If it's tradition for foreigners, locale rules at home
Kerala has been advertising its tropical backwaters
and serene beaches as a heavenly honeymoon destination. But cupid-struck tourists
are going beyond the guidebook, and arriving before the honeymoon to make
marriages in this heaven.
The Malayalee wedding ceremony is in demand and might soon make its way to
tourist handbooks with enterprising agents agreeing to handle all bandobast
as long as there's a bride and groom.
This Sunday, at the Mullur Nagar Bhagavati temple here, notes of the nadaswaram
rang out as 34-year-old Lin Revaly was led in a procession of thalapoli to
the mandapam. Dressed in a white cotton saree and green blouse, Lin may not
have looked the quintessential Malayalee E bride, but she definitely played
t the part as she took her place next to dhoti-clad Stephen Rossel, also 34.
As the priests intoned mantras, the Swedish couple exchanged garlands and
circled the holy agni to solemnise their wedding.
There were also caparisoned elephants and dholaks to complete the ambience.
The bride dutifully blushed as Stephen put a 'sindhoor tilak' on her forehead.
"We had seen the weddings through internet and books," Stephen told
curious reporters. "We were longing for a marriage like this," he
added, showing off the jumbo garland around his neck. The two were seeing
each other for five years and decided to tie the knot in a Kerala temple according
to Hindu traditions.
Stephen and Lin are not the first ones from the West to have taken their nuptial
vows here. The area is witnessing an increasing number of Westerners coming
here to get married. Tourist operators who are helping with arrangements say
the Hindu marriage customs have become a tourist attraction.
"They love the simple customs in the ambience of a temple," says
Chandra Hasan, a tourist operator. "Besides, this is an inexpensive and
peaceful way to get married."
Locals said at least eight such weddings have taken place in Kovalam alone in the past one year. Capitalising on the trend, enterprising businessmen are offering wedding packages through websites, complete with traditional welcome, ceremonies and a honeymoon thrown in as a package deal.