The Karmalized Kaku in India - Wedding Fever

Subodh, Appa Kaka and Sejal

In a land abounding with paradox, my discomfort seemed only fitting. I was 10,000 miles from home; my legs were cramping, my nose was burning, and the sickly stench of cow dung rose in waves from beneath my six yards of silk.

It was the happiest day of my life.

Renewing our marriage vows in India was never part of the plan. My husband and I were there to attend his cousin’s wedding in the city of Pune and to visit his large extended family. We had been in India nearly three weeks and, as a first-time visitor, I had weathered the culture shock of Indian toilets, cold baths and warm Coke surprisingly well.

I had committed most of the requisite cultural faux pas, including eating with my left hand and calling my husband’s uncle “auntie” by mistake. I had namaskared to every cow in Baroda (and a few surprised bulls as well!)

Our trip was coming to an end when, in a burst of bravado, I announced to several aunties that someday I would like to return to India and remarry my husband in a Hindu ceremony.

A word to the wise: be careful what you say in India between November and February, when wedding fever sweeps the country. When my husband’s famously eccentric uncle, Appa Kaka, heard my wish, he exclaimed: 

“Why wait?  You’re in India now . . . if you have three hours to spare, we can make it happen!”

Why wait indeed? With that, my Hindu wedding began to take shape.

Will the Karmalized Kaku get the wedding of her dreams? Watch for the upcoming novel, "Becoming Sejal."