VARANASI FOR WEDDINGS

A Sacred Bonding

If there’s any place on Earth that is auspicious for weddings, it’s the holy city of Varanasi, the Kashi of old, nestling by the hallowed waters of the Ganga.

It is the city of light and hope eternal— and fresh beginnings. This life-affirming city is the terrestrial abode of Lord Shiva, the enlightened one, whose celestial light first pierced the chaos of the primordial darkness to bring new life and order to Earth. Shiva, ‘one who is auspicious, always pure, holy, divine, truthful, beautiful and blissful’, is the Great Lord of the Trinity of the Hindu pantheon, who is responsible for the end of creation— because everything that has come into being must end one day, so that a new beginning comes into being, with his blessings.

               One of the oldest cities on Earth Varanasi has the exceptional legacy of being the ultimate spot to cleanse oneself of all sins in the Ganga and find release from the eternal cycle of birth, death and rebirth—and for the soul to finally merge with the Supreme Being. It symbolises liberation in its highest forms.

If you are looking for a unique wedding destination why not Varanasi, a gem of a place for new beginnings, with the blessings of the deities and the holy Ganga, to step across the threshold from an old life to a new one with your partner?

Over the past several years Varanasi has witnessed a spurt in wedding festivities. It’s not the local weddings we are talking about here. Wedding planners are increasingly presenting it as a destination of choice for the bridal couple and their families across India.

One thing which has surely triggered this has been Varanasi’s attraction as trousseau hunting destination. Its gorgeous offerings of silks, brocades and superb embroideries, are an intrinsic part of an Indian bride’s trousseau. It’s gone a step further by offering some fabulous dressy options for the groom and his party as well.

The city is well-oiled to meet the demands of a cavalcade of ceremonies and pre-wedding and wedding events attached to an Indian wedding. From glamorous venues (indoor and outdoor areas) to superb cuisine to floral arrangements to mehendi wallahs, makeup artists, hairdressers and the like, it has everything down to the T for a well-planned gala affair.

The Venues

This bewitching city has a host of starred hotels that are quite adept at planning everything for you. The Taj Ganges is very much in demand on occasions such as this.  Built in 1835 the Taj Nadesar Palace arranges pre-wedding shoots, pre-wedding festivities along with the entire round of ceremonies and events. In proximity to Dasashwamedh Ghat the 18th-century Brij Rama Palace is a heritage site, with a private ghat. Om Vilas Benaras is another leading luxury option. The Tree of Life Resort & Spa is also catching up with a range of excellent facilities and services.

While there are plenty of hotels to choose from depending on your budget, some interesting options for bridal ceremonies which have emerged.

Gathering greater popularity for wedding events is the spanking new Niraan Tent City, developed upstream near Ramnagar. The romantic nuances go into overdrive for the wedding party as the venue is accessible by a boat ride from Ravidas Ghat and Namo Ghat. This luxurious glamping resort, built on a riverbed by the Ganga has a complement of 142 cottages with all mod cons. There are various accommodation options to match all budgets; for example, the Presidential Villa is a 2-storied affair; spread across 900 sq. ft. it features a bedroom, a dressing room, a living room a private beach, a plunge pool et al. The Premium Tent spread over 473 sq ft, has a double bed, attached bathroom and a spacious front porch.

It also has a banquet area spread over 10,000+ sq. ft., a clubhouse, swimming pool and café and a business centre.

Niraan Tent City is backed by Evoke Experiences, which has also been involved in the iconic tented city at the Rann Utsav in Kutch, Gujarat.

An unforgettable experience plays out at a wedding ceremony held at one of the less crowded ghats.

A private affair, on a gorgeously decorated local boat known as a bajra/bajda is the way to go. These are motor-run barges which can accommodate up to 40 people at a pinch, so they are perfect for a small intimate ceremony with ones near and dear. You can even hire the bajdas for a lovely pre-wedding dinner or lunch. The boats are equipped with life jackets and other safety equipment to ensure the passengers’ safety. They boats are operated by experienced and trained boatmen who have a deep understanding of the river and the city’s history and culture. Kashi Yatra and Ganga Boating Services are some options to connect with.

Trousseau shopping— From Sarees to Jewellery

           Renowned for its impeccable skills in embroideries, and superb brocade work on finely woven silk a Benarasi saree is a must-have for most Indian brides. These have been heirloom items for generations in families, and treasured with utmost care. Choose from four varieties on offer pure silk (Katan), Organza (Kora) with Zari and silk; Georgette, and Shattir. The design process drives the other categories which are just irresistible— these are Tanchoi, Jangla, Vaskat, Cutwork, Tissue and Butidar.

Another special bridal offering of the city is the stunning minakari work. Varanasi has long been associated with making the exquisite pink minakari (gulabi mina), characterised by pink strokes on white enamel and often applied to Kundan jewellery; mina work is also used for making handicrafts. Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft is GI-tagged and was presented in the form of handicraft artefact to the visiting G20 delegates in the city. This rare ancestral craft is carried out by a handful of artisans in the by-lanes of Varanasi’s Gai Ghat. This cherished tradition was introduced in the city of Varanasi by Persian enamellists in Mughal times around the early 17th century.

City Tours

There are ample diversions for guests in the holy city…from dawn-lit rituals in the Ganga to temple visits to shopping sprees galore. Some highlights are the ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ramnagar Fort, Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Kala Bhavan, and the Jantar Mantar observatory.