Wednesday, May 18, 2011

India News:Foreign couple's desi-style wedding.


Foreign couple marry desi-style


MYSORE: Matthew Ryan flew all the way to Mysore from Manchester with his 30-year-old Swedish girlfriend, Lina, to get married in desi-style.

The 42-year-old yoga teacher believes that religion in India is thriving and full of life, unlike in the west where it has grown `cold and lifeless'. He thus chose the over 300-year-old Nandi Bull statue atop Chamundi Hills as his wedding venue, where he and Lina, a hair dresser, got married according to Hindu rituals on Wednesday.

The European couple was clad in Indian wear -- a silk dhoti and blue silk sari -- as the priest, Jamanagiri Swamiji, performed the hour-long ceremony in accordance with Vedic marriage rituals at the Shiva cave temple. Matthew has been a staunch follower of the priest for a decade, and last year he expressed his wish to marry in Indian style, the seer claimed. 

Matthew said he has been touring Mysore to learn yoga for the past 12 years, during which he regularly visited Jamanagiri Swamiji. He decided to get married here because of the rich Indian culture, he said, adding, "Spirituality is alive and thriving in India." 

A beaming Lina said Indian tradition and culture are fascinating and readily agreed to tie the knot the Indian way when Matthew asked. This is her first visit to India. The newlywed couple will go to Goa for their honeymoon on Friday and fly back home on June 1. The wedding was organized by members of Bettada Balaga. 

Tourists at the temple witnessed the rare ceremony and savoured a sumptuous vegetarian meal served on plaintain leaves. 

Lio, a tourist from Coimbatore, expressed happiness that foreigners are recognizing India's rich culture. 
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