1. A Hindu Wedding!! Reported by Ryan Bowen and photographed by Nathan Lee.

2. The Man dap is up and the pupils are awaiting the blushing bride and the gracious groom to emerge from the classroom. The Man dap is adorned with lush, sparkly, tinsel and a pale white canopy. The young children are filled with anxiousness and anticipation for the couple to be joined under the Man dap.

3. The festivities begin and the sacred logs are moved forward. The groom, best man, the mother and the father enter. The groom ceremoniously excepts a gift from the mother of the bride and is seated under the Man dap. The bride slowly walks in with clothes one rank lower than a goddess. The priest exclaims the vows to the people and kindred in the room.

4. As the ceremony progresses the feet of the couple are wetted with water to cleanse them. Now vows are exchanged to each other. As I listen I am humbled by the tradition that this religion has kept.

5. The rings are placed on the couples fingers as a symbol as a never ending circle of love for each other. Now a special bead necklace called a varamall is draped over the sholders of the lovers who are now by the will of their god are wedded.

6. Now is the ritual of the father of the bride to place her hand in her husbands. Rice is given to them by the best man then thrown into the sacred fire. For the 1 st time they circle the fire 4 times and then they go back to sit in the Man dap.

7. Now a band of dancers make their way to the stage and dance for the happy couple. Now the final 7 steps around the fire to be truly wed. The steps mean: Good food. Strong and compliment each other. Prosperity. Happy. Children. Harmony. And best friends.

8. Now sweets are to be placed into each others mouth and now a Nan-gal sutra is placed around the brides neck. Another gracious parade is set and the room is filled with happiness. And the loving couple are now very happy together.

9. They must follow in the tradition that their parents and family have set before them. The food is now to be served and every one joins in with the many days of celebration which continues in the family abode for 2 days. And the family that have been joined through marriage share love and happiness for as long as they shall live.