January and February are infamous for weddings here in India. This is mainly due to the good weather and temperate heat for this time of year.
Our hotel is full of wedding guests all dressed in fabulous colourful attire. Women in brilliantly vibrant saris and men in elegant sherwani dress with hats made of fabric to drape and fall onto their smart looking clothing.
The typical Indian Wedding Celebratory band plays on the dirty dusty street. Huge metal speakers blaring their tune all over the Vadodara suburb of Alkapuri. Battered brass French Horns wrapped around tiny waists of skinny young musicians, echo in amongst the other instruments, mainly being drums, maracas, and trumpets and some sort of tin clanging instrument not unlike a triangle. Sorry....I couldn't help but have a giggle when looking at my photos.....Wally even seems to have weaselled himself into the picture with the band. Where's Wally?
Everyone dances in a circle prior to the groom boarding his chariot drawn by white horses. So much joy.... It's a very special occasion. The groom climbs up into the chariot and everyone converges like bees to a honey pot to have a glimpse of him sitting up there so proud. The dancing begins again.......like a wave in slow motion, they dance one hand in the air before swapping to the other. The procession moves away with everyone following and dancing as they go. The procession will go around the block and return to our hotel for the reception held on the roof. (We took the photos from the roof.....it has been decorated beautifully for its guests).
Everyday there is excitement and colour in this absolutely amazing city and country.......Incredible India!
Dancing in the car park of the Hilton Hotel.
Colourful dress! Groom in the chariot.
Guests, band and groom in chariot. (And 'Where's Wally')
The wedding car decorated with flowers and tinsel.