The Havan

Surrounded by family and friends, Rukhein and,

specifically, Kristy were officially welcomed into Rukhein's family home today at a Hindu ceremony called the Havan. Twenty or so of us sat on blankets across the floor. And as we walked in, I caught a glimpse of Rukhein's uncle, dressed in all white against a white staircase, sewing together a lei of marigolds.  One thing I'll never forget about India is the color. Splashes of such rich fabrics, iridescence, and shimmers everywhere. Kristy and Rukhein joined last, with a pundit, stopping at the

threshold of the house for several blessings from both the pundit and from Chinky. As much symbolic as literal, the bride enters the home and becomes the woman of the house. The Havan also invokes the god of fire to symbolize the couple's commitment to each other. As the pundit led them through the rites and rituals, he blessed them

with good fortune and health. He spoke in Sanskrit prayers to a range of gods, Lakshmi, Shiva, Vishnu. Those were the only words I could recognize. Flowers given unto the gods, money tied between the couple, and the fire pit in the center, we were all bore witness to their commitment to each other. Throughout the ceremony,

each of us gave an offering to add to the couple's fortune. The pundit approached each of us, giving us a blessing and tying string around our arms to signify the bond of the day. Toward the end of the ceremony, we were given an offering of sandalwood and nuts (it resembled mulch and granola) to throw bit by bit into the flame with each of the pundit's blessings. The ceremony was finalized with Kristy cooking this traditional confection for the family. Given that the home is still under serious

renovation, Kristy cooked over a kerosene tank.

After the ceremony, we shopped. Jackie and her husband arrived from Kenya last night and found a sari for her and traditional Punjabi dress for him on our first stop. That evening we dined at Chinky's friend Amita's house for dinner. Her German Shepard Google was skittish around our motley dozen.