Highlight of the Year: A Family Event That Stole My Heart

By Shruti Pandey

This year was wonderful. It had been quite successful and positive for me. It is important to note that a year is not just made up of 365 days, it is made with moments of happiness, sadness, enjoyment, anger, success, failure, and most importantly– Life. 

Looking at the calendar, I reminisced about a memorable day and smiled as I held the souvenir that captured that particular moment.

The moment I am talking about is a family event that I loved attending this year. In the tapestry of life, family events are the vibrant threads that weave a story of love, laughter, and shared memories across the pages of time.

As we navigate the chapters of the story, the significance of family events becomes apparent. Through laughter echoing in shared spaces and tears wiped away by caring hands, family events etch a profound and enduring legacy onto the canvas of our existence.

It was last year in the end days of November, I woke up early. There was some anticipation tingling in the air, and I eagerly got ready to embark on the journey to a cherished family event, where laughter awaited. I was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi to attend my elder brother’s wedding.

 We reached there the next day and were enthralled and overjoyed to see so many faces waiting eagerly for us. The function of ‘Sangeet’ was going on at that time. All the ladies were singing energetically, their voices resonated with joy and filled the room with vibrant melodies that lifted everyone’s spirit. Then, I met my cousins and some of my paternal relatives too. That is why I love attending family weddings, I get to meet so many people after a long time!

The next day, It was the ‘Mehendi’ ceremony. Being a girl is the most enjoyable ceremony. All the family members were in green attire and looked so beautiful. In the artistry of mehendi, each stroke signifies the support and blessings of our cherished family members.

As mehendi leaves its mark, so does the love of our family leave imprints on our hearts. In the circle of mehendi, family is the unbroken bond that adds beauty to our celebration. I chose an Arabic-style mehendi for me, I loved the design and wonderful patterns!

After we all had completed, we clicked many photos and videos and danced with joy. In the evening, we had a ceremony known as ‘Sunderkand’, most people might know about it already, those who don’t, it involves the recitation of a specific chapter called ‘Sunderkand’ from the epic Ramayana. It is the fifth chapter of Ramayana dedicated to lord hanuman’s heroic journey to Lanka in search of Sita.

The sunderkand ceremony is a way for devotees to connect with the teachings of the Ramayana and seek divine blessings for strength, courage, and the successful resolution of challenges.

On the 22^nd November, in the evening “Satyanarayan puja” was held. The puja is typically performed in starting a new venture, celebrating special occasions, seeking blessings for the well-being of family members, or expressing gratitude for a fulfilled wish. The priest was reciting ‘The Satyanarayan Katha’. We all received the offerings after that. I enjoyed it a lot. We all were sitting together, listening to the mesmerizing shlokas being recited. After the puja was over, only one day was left for the wedding.

The next day, after waking up, we had to leave for Una, Himachal Pradesh. This was the place where the wedding was supposed to be held. My uncle had booked a bus and two cars for us to travel there. It was a long journey about 8-9 hours. We enjoyed looking at the wonderful landscapes that passed by. I saw mountains, hills, rivers, valleys, and long highways.

We reached there at 6 pm and checked into our Hotel–The Gulmohar Grand. I was very excited to see the preparations done for our welcome. We all went into our rooms and got ready. I wore my lehenga which I had bought especially for the wedding.

I am quite good at makeup and hairstyles, so I did it myself and helped others also to get ready. We were all then ready for the wedding procession. My brother was sitting on a decorated horse cart, we all danced and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. The photographers clicked many photos during the procession. Then we reached the venue, and the bride’s family stood at the entrance to welcome us. The decorations were wonderful.

The wedding continued till 4:00 am, the next day. I really loved the ceremony and the arrangements. After the wedding was over, we again sat on the bus and went back to Delhi where we welcomed the bride to our home. The reception was held the next day. In total, this wedding was the best of all the weddings I have attended till now. I will miss the moments I spent together with my family.

Finally, it was time to leave for Mumbai, I did not want to go. I wished I could have stayed there for a little longer.

I would like to conclude that in the symphony of life, family events compose the sweetest notes of happiness. These occasions become the cherished milestones of our collective journey. From the first rays of anticipation to the final crescendo of memories.

In a world where changes are constant, these gatherings stand as timeless celebrations, forging connections that thrive on the simple yet profound bliss of being together.