German couple get married in Hindu tradition

Will Hindus learn from foreigners who are opting Hindu rituals for marriage , while many Hindus want to ‘skip’ marriage rituals for the sake of ‘saving time’ ?

Manglore: Jecintha Essling Wintzer, who is a native of Bong Town in Liberia and Wolfram Essling Wintzer, of Moers city in Germany, both 37, entered wedlock at the Panambur Beach here on Thursday.

What made their marriage special was the union was according to Hindu tradition — the groom tied mangalasutra, the couple performed sapthapadi in front of the agni kunda during godhooli lagna.

Their marriage turned the Panambur beach into a marriage venue. Hundreds of tourists, who had arrived at the beach to enjoy the holiday, too became a part of the wedding ceremony and blessed the `phoren’ couple.

All traditional rituals of Hindu marriage system were followed and the tunes of nadaswara enriched the elegance of the ceremony. Relatives of Jecintha received the groom by spraying rose water and flower petals. Bride and groom were taken to a small kalyana mantapa erected on the beach and the rituals began with chanting of mantras by the purohits.

It was a realisation of a ten-year-old love story of Jecintha and Wolfram, who are archaeologists in Germany. Jecintha and Wolfram had decided to get married on the very first day they met each other, but they did not have any idea as to how, where and when they would enter the wedlock. It was the suggestion of scientist couple in Germany Dr Anjanadevi and Harish Parala, both hailing from Dakshina Kannada district, got them thinking of getting married according to Hindu tradition.

"I was fascinated when my Anjana and Harish told me about Indian marriages. He told me that Indian marriage rituals are colourful and very beautiful. Hence, we decided to marry according Hindu tradition," Wolfram said adding that he had never witnessed a Hindu traditional marriage function. "It is something very nice and I love to be a part of the culture of this land," said Jecintha.

In fact, the couple had registered their marriage in Germany on October 8. A total of 30, including couple’s parents, relatives and friends from Germany and Australia were present to solemnise the wedding.

Source: TOI