Saying 'I do' the Indian way

Marriage sans frontiers

Ryan, a resident of Manchester England, married Linah a hair designer of Swedish origin, at a traditional Hindu wedding at the Shiva Cave Temple atop Chamundi Hills on Wednesday. Ryan,  was dressed in a silk dhoti and ‘Mysore Peta’ and Linah in a silk saree, tied the nuptial knot in the morning.

A practising yoga expert, Ryan said that he had been visiting India for a decade to learn yoga from renowned expert Pattabhi Jois. He had been a regular visitor to Chamundi Hills.

He said he was influenced by an Indian marriage he attended a few years ago and decided to marry the same way. Linah and Ryan were in love for two years.

On his visit to Mysore in January last, he spoke to Jamanagiri seer on his wish to get married at the Nandi Statue. Srikshetra Sri Chamunidbettada Sri Nandiya Pooja Mahotsava Samithi Bettada Balaga made arrangements for the marriage. Navin, a member of the Balaga, was ‘appointed’ maternal uncle, while Jagannatha Rao was ‘Ryan’s father’ for  the occasion.

“So many people who don’t even know me are doing this for us. I am thankful for that,” Ryan said.

Guests were treated to a sumptuous meal that included ‘mango chitranna’, ‘kosambri’, tomato pickle, rice, rasam, buttermilk and curd. To top it all, ‘heerekai bajji’ was also served to the guests.