So we’ve now been to a traditional Indian wedding – like everything here it was hectic and nobody seemed to know what was going to happen next at any given time. We traveled first to Manu’s sister’s house and got kitted out in our Indian finery – Traditional Keralan Saris for the ladies and Mundis for the gents. From there we took a two minute bus ride to Manu’s mother’s house for the ceremony. In the centre of the living room there were tall golden incense lamps burning, surrounded by flowers and decorations (see photos). Manu received a blessing and the girls proceeded upstairs to beckon the bride. The bridal party walked around the centre of the room three times before Lillian sat down beside Manu. There were about 70 people packed into Manu’s living room at this stage, in 34 degree heat. The smoke from the incense filled the room and we couldn’t turn on the ceiling fan. I think it’s the hottest I’ve ever been. Various ceremonial exchanges followed – the bride and groom clasping fresh leaves between their hands, the exchange of flower garlands, jewelery (little gold locks on chains – wedlock, see?) and a decedent Sari that Lillian must wear for the evening party – with much head wobbling and discussion.  It was brilliant.

After the ceremony we were treated to a traditional Keralan wedding Thali served on a banana leaf. We hadn’t eaten any breakfast so this went down very well. Manu’s family delighted in explaining the different parts of the dish and in teaching us how to eat with only our right hand. They readily replenished any clean banana leaves.

We changed for the evening where 350 of us gathered in an auditorium to listen to live Indian music and eat more vegetarian food. Most of the ceiling fans didn’t work. This is the second hottest I’ve ever been.