Daredevil couple: marriage made in 'heaven' indeed

Marriages are made in heaven, goes the popular saying. For a couple from Kolhapur, Ranjit Jadhav and Reshma Patil, this came figuratively true.

On Sunday, they tied the nuptial knot while hanging from ropes using the old valley-crossing techniques used between Vishalgad and Panhala in Kolhapur district. The surrounding verdant mountain tops, cool breeze and an intermittent drizzle provided a truly heavenly backdrop.

The couple, who share a love for mountains, nature and forts, felt proud about their unique marriage.

The groom, an expert mountaineer, works for a pharma products marketing firm while the bride is preparing for the administrative services exam.

Even the priest who solemnised the arranged marriage, hung from ropes using a carabiner. The ceremony was held between two 3000-feet tall peaks of Vishalgad and Panhala, around 15 km from the base village, Bhattali.

Though the feat was nothing new for Ranjit, it certainly was for Reshma and  priest Suraj Dholi, who conducted the marriage ceremony, mid-air, literally. Dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire, the bride and groom exchanged garlands mid-air even as relatives standing on the edge of the valley showered flower petals. They also recited mantras during the marriage ceremony. “It was something different for us….it was our love for nature, mountains and adventure which made it happen,” said Ranjit. “It was a great experience and I am very happy,” gushed  Reshma.

“We wanted to create awareness about adventure sports,” said their mentor Vinod Kamboj, President, Western Mountain Sports, Kolhapur, who arranged the wedding.