Brit weds Pahadi at Barsu: Foreign guests overwhelmed with U’khand’s hospitality
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
In what could provide a fresh fillip to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Uttarakhand becoming a global wedding destination, the scenic Himalayan village of Barsu- situated at the base of the Dayara–Surya Top Bugyal- in Uttarkashi district witnessed a destination wedding rooted in Garhwali traditions. Melody from London and Akshay Negi of Jakheni in Rudraprayag district tied the sacred knot in the sacred premises of Vasukinag Mandir, following a blend of Hindu rituals and Garhwali customs.
The wedding saw wholehearted participation of the villagers. They said they had made sure that the wedding fully reflected the essence of Uttarakhand’s ‘Atithi Devo Bhawa’ culture. After traditional rituals were performed, the couple prayed for blessings from Lord Vasukinag before embarking on their life together.
Significantly, 30 guests for the wedding came from London. They said they were overwhelmed with the spiritual and cultural essence of the ceremony. That was a novel and memorable experience for them, they said in unison.
The couple had first met during trekking expeditions to Dayara-Surya Top. Their frequent interactions helped the friendship morph into love. Melody had been so moved by the spiritual ambience surrounding Barsu and its traditional wedding practices that she decided to get married in the courtyard of Vasukinag Mandir.
“The event marks a significant step towards giving Barsu a distinct identity as a wedding destination,” observed the Gram Pradhan Yajvendra Singh Rawat.
A local homestay operator, Ravi Rawat said the foreign guests had appreciated Barsu’s tranquillity, traditional cuisine, lifestyle and hospitality. “This will immensely boost the village’s tourism and wedding-destination prospects,” he noted.
