It was a time of peerless freedom. I was a young Yogi travelling with a backpack, pen, diary and a camera travelling through villages, walking on the mud roads of rural India, in search of stories.
I had just finished a two-day assignment for an Indian magazine, documenting the popular cattle fair that took place around the ancient temple site of Pushkar. And while at it I had learnt that after this fair in the ancient city of Brahma, the camels will travel for weeks on road through the desert and forests, crossing the oldest hill range on earth, the Aravalli to take part in another fair, hundreds of miles down the western coast in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. I wanted to find that route and travel with them, with the camel tribes documenting, and writing about this beautiful, unusual journey.
But on my way, I couldn’t find any transport, which could have taken me to the state highway, from where I could find the travelling camels. It was night and I had stopped just before a forest that was about to start, fearing a wild animal or may be dacoits or anything else. It was the dark of a moonless night. I sat by the road, near an old temple, which was closed. There was no body to be seen. No human to ask for food or stay or even the way. It had been over an hour, and I had decided to call it a day. I was taking out my sleeping bag to slide in quietly on the temple floor when a dim sound of blaring loudspeaker started coming from far. It was really strange to hear something that sounded like a collective noise when for past one hour I had not even seen a dog. There was only one lamppost, far, hanging from a Neem Tree, the only light. Not enough to even see the symbols on the adjacent wall.
The sound slowly started feeling like a ceremony. The temple floor that I had chosen to sleep soon turned to be a stop for passing wedding processions, the families with brides and grooms used to stop and pray to the local temple deity before resuming their journey to the wedding ceremony. And within minutes the whole space transformed. People in jeeps arrived, followed by two buses. As the groom was entering the temple, with his family assisting him, our eyes met.
People had come prepared. Within minutes many groups had opened their mini bars, drinking in the dark under different trees, talking, laughing, planning, sitting, spitting, eating, drinking water from the hand pump. There was a well nearby behind which mothers took children to attend their calls of nature.
I was writing all these observations when the groom came out, he lit a cigarette and asked me how come am I here. I smiled and asked him if he is getting married? Yes. Where is the wedding? I asked, he said in Deesa, 200 kms from here on Rajasthan-Gujarat border. He took a deep puff. Are you alone? Yes. Would you like to come along? He asked, 5 seconds of thanking nature, i told him that if he does not mind I would like to document this journey! And since that moment I became groom’s personal documentarian.
It became one of the most distinct memories that i still carry. Sharing with you the next three days of my life with Khushwinder Meena and his wedding in Rajasthan.
: ँ :
Long before starting this blog, for a few years i took up a project which i named A Rural Asian Wedding Travelogue, a project that i continued for a few years documenting rural weddings across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. I still wish to continue. If anyone reading this resides in a part of Indian continent, who would like his/her wedding or even a friends wedding to be documented, i will be very happy to hear from you.
Also read from the same project :
A song from my Parents wedding, also
To a monsoon wedding and a rare feast and
When a wedding found me travelling in Mumbai
: ँ :
Thank you.
If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste
: ँ :
I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly;
As a co-traveller, will take you through the Ten Lessons I learnt from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.
: ँ :
You also might like to know about My Little School. If you wish to come over for a visit, to share your stories or to share one of your magic tricks with children, you are heartily welcome here
If you would like to contribute to my travels, you can please do so here
: ँ :
Above all, If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please feel free to write to me at nara@road-to-nara.com
To visit other long-term photographic works, you can visit here.
To follow my walks through the rural Indian Subcontinent, find me at
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ROAD TO NARA 
Beautiful💕 occasion shared ,Narayan bhai !Great photos !
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Thank you so much Dhirendra Ji. Your words delight me.
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It’s my pleasure dear 💕
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Likewise Dhirendra JI. Thank you again.
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Thank you again
Narayan x
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This story is the continuation of the author’s writing about rural India that the readers find so interesting, and once printed and published in the book form, it will be read all over the world, not only because there are large Indian communities in most western countries, but because
the not Indian readers are fascinated by the author’s exotic and colorful descriptions and the beautiful photography, that is the author’s own, as he is a renowned filmmaker.
This hugely talented writer, Narayan Tushar Kaudinya, has to be congratulated for creating another masterpiece. Long may he continue!
Joanna
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Thank you so much Joanna, for your words leave me speechless. They set such high standards that i fear might only keep chasing.
But you being a world class reviewer of the storytellers, i can only imagine what all you must be observing and how well you already know things are going to be.
Yes, a book of stories on rural India would be amazing for even myself to see someday, someday 🙂
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Thank you so much dear Joanna, for your precious comment. Makes me fly high always.
Thank you again.
Narayan
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Dear Narayan,
You wholly deserve every word I wrote, otherwise, I would not have praised you. The readers think the same, in fact only after having emails from your readers saying that they agree with me, I realised that you wrote a message to me here. I know how busy you are being in demand for your filmmaking, but please don’t forget that you have promised to write this book, and I am waiting!
Joanna
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Joanna, thank you.
A promise is a promise. I am well aware even heartily committed to finish it.
Thank you so much for keeping me on track.
Narayan x
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Narayan Ji
I understand the experience you had. I was posted in Ahmedabad Airport in 3 spells and stayed over 17 years. I had visited remote villages there including Rann of Kutch. Also I was transferred to Pratapgarh in Rajasthan Gujarat Border.
I had attended many tribal ceremonies.
That was fantastic period of my service life.
I am so happy to see all the photos you have posted.
Exactly what I have seen there.
You have penned it so lovely.
Great 👍
Have a blissful time ahead.
Regards 🙏
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Arun ji, your experience and at a time when India was far more rooted and innocent in terms of economy and exposure is surely and must be a golden time.
I am delighted to learn how this post made you relive your own time. And what else can be said if not blessed that you were a witness to ceremonies close to nature for that long a period. Such beautiful memories you have/
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Yeah, very close to nature😌
I have golden memories of that period. Thank you so much for your beautiful comments. Now, when I wish to get connected with nature, COVID has made us bound to stay at home. Let’s see, when the situation is most favorable.
Have a blissful time ahead 🙏
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ha ha. So much good has also, undoubtedly come out of Covid. At least some amongst us have changed for the better, for the future.
Yes Arun ji. Slowly, please take your time.
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🙏😊
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Thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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😊🙏
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It is only an honour to know of your works and even what and how you are making things happen. I am always delighted to have your words here. and especially on this post made me learn so much about you.
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Thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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😊🙏
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Dear Narayan,
All the pictures themselves are taking me to trip to nostalgia. These old world wedding functions, not much pomp and show and standard pangat main baith kar khana( I so hated it as a kid) and the simple and pure smiles not just smiling for camera ❤️. You are definitely a brave person to not only venture out alone but also sitting patiently all throughout. Best part this post captures the innocence of those times all through 🙂
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Richa, so happy to see your words again here. Also when you will perfectly know how it goes on in Rajasthan.
But true the magic of Rajasthan looms well and through me, region, people, language is nothing less than magic. We, today can say that was truly the free world.
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Thank you so much dear Richa, also for that long visit day before yesterday.
Narayan x
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Thank you for inviting me to the wedding in Rajasthan. What a wonderful celebration!
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Ashely, so happy that you came and lived with the wedding for a while. Delighted to know you liked this wedding.
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Thank you so much again Ashley.
Narayan x
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How very fascinating and colourful, but I wouldn’t want to be a wedding planner in Rajasthan! So many things to coordinate. A friend of mine went to the camel festival in Rajasthan many years ago and I still have one of his photographs on my wall. India…what an astonishing place. I was lucky enough to visit three or four times but never long enough. It always made a big impact on me. What is happening in that last photograph?
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ha ha Trust me Caro… you would love to be a wedding planner here with so many colours and such rich texture. But tell me are you a wedding planner too?
This is a fine memory than, it took you to the friend’s image.
Really, you have been here and three to four times, Wao. But yes would be great if you plan to stay in the himalayas for a while.
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Also glad you asked about the last photograph. She is the bride and after coming to her new home it is a ritual that she lies down for a while around deities.
Thank you so much for writing Caro.
Narayan x
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I thought it must be something like that. It’s very involved getting married in that culture! No, I am not a wedding planner! I was just looking at a photograph my travelling companion took when we were in Tibet in November 1986. It’s two bleak mountain tops and a man riding toward us on his horse with a calf in tow. I remember that man’s face as if it was yesterday. Such a beautiful face, such beautiful people. I think it’s my spiritual home. There was something so special about being there in those mountains. That man (and I!) are old now. I like to believe he is still alive somewhere and I hope life has been kind to him, though I am aware of how difficult it is likely to have been.
So nice to talk to you, Nara!
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That looked like quite the occasion, Narayan. I could almost feel I was there. Wonderful photography and narrative.
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Thank you Michael. It is delightful to know that the photograph could so some bit of charm to take you there. Its always affirming to receive your acknowledgement.
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Thank you so much again Michael
Narayan x
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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Ned thank you that it made you reblog it.
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Thank you again.
Narayan
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I must say that the photographs are amazingly clear. You did an awesome job capturing the moments in time. I enjoyed reading your article. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to reading your next post. Have a blessed day.
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Lovely to know that you enjoyed this post Shaun. Delighted to know.
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Thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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Your photos are terrific! I feel like I was there. I have to add that the white horse seems to be so calm even with all the lights and festivities going on around him.
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Thank you Anne. Delighted that you could travel. Also one thing i love about your reviews on the posts is that i know only you can see the animal beings like no one other, and of course, especially the horses.
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Also i think that Indian horses by now, must have learnt to enjoy or ignore all the festivities and chaos that go on around them, in India.
Thank you so much again, dear Anne.
Narayan x
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Another fascinating post, Narayan and as always, transports one to a different yet familiar world. Love the atmospheres you create, through words and pictures. Are the watercolors, yours too?
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Diti, your words delight me, thank you so much and yes you would your know how rich each region of our country is and what it brings is completely different yet always colorful, as life should be.
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And happy that you see in such details, the images. The water colors were done by a friends who was a painter and joined me later.
Thank you so much for your words.
Narayan x
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Narayan, your pictures are amazing.
You have captured the soul of this beautiful ceremony in words and pictures.
Lovely.
Best wishes.
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Thank you so much for writing Chaya. Your words bring affirmation.
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Thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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That’s a fascinating adventure! How exciting it must have been.
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Neel, how lovely to read from you. Absolutely, if i only sit back and observe it as a layman. It was fascinating, and so somewhere is the land of Rajasthan.
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Thank you for writing Neel. I always feel happy with your presence, hope you start writing again and a lot.
Narayan x
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Grazie per questa bella narrazione, le foto fanno vivere il momento.
❤
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Heart felt and very happy to have your words here dear Fulvia. I guess that you liked and i appreciate your writing on this a lot.
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Thank you for coming, thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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Engaging story and lovely photos, Narayan! Thank you for sharing your adventures on WordPress. I enjoy them very much. ❤
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Cheryl, it is probably because of you and some very wonderful people i am connected with here makes me share everything that has come along my way as a writer. I enjoy your words, more so enjoy this company which you are a constant part of.
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And your words affirm my sharing of these stories that they are well, important and should be shared.
Thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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Beautiful photos Narayan. It must haver been such a shock, a good shock I think, to find yourself surrounded by a wedding party after being alone in the dark for a while. I know I’ve mentioned to you previously that I’ve (briefly) attended an Indian wedding so I can imagine the noise and excitement that suddenly surrounded you.
This brought back all the memories of my own experience. Lovely.
Alison
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Beautiful Alison. Such delightful words.
O yes, i didn’t know how, or what was happening. Whole space changed within seconds. It was very close to magic, as i had to put it in the title.
Yes i remember, you mentioned it; these weddings are somewhere the cultural carrier here, brings people together. Make them happy with their pomp and show.
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Till you come back again, someday to rest in the Himalayas for sometime. Thank you so much for your words. Thank you.
Narayan x
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Such an interesting post! So colorful and intriguing. ❤
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Thank you so much for coming over and writing Carol. Indian weddings are indeed very exciting, intriguing and supremely colorful
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Thank you so much again
Narayan x
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I’m fascinated by the wide array of colors and the expressive body rituals you captured so realistically in photo here . The bride and groom appear to be very important figures here.
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Well, as they say the most important thing you can do while in India is to show up to a wedding and the rest will happen around you. Actually we Indians needed an excuse to celebrate anything, everything and thus even a wedding became thus, a celebration for even a bystander.
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It indeed was a memorable period, also very tiring to document, compose when so much was going around you.
Thank you so much again, Usfman.
Narayan x
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Such a beautiful narrative and pictures you have shared dear Nara!
Thank you so much 💖🙏🙏
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Lovely wedding clicks from Rajasthan
A glimpse of tradition and culture
Thank you for sharing ,
I am happy that I am also travelling on this beautiful road to Nara along with other travellers 😊❣️
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So long Reena, very happy to have you here and your wonderful words on the post.
You now certainly are a family 🙂 will be taken care of, for the thoughts that will arrive.
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Thank you, thank you so much again Reena,
Narayan x
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Wow.what a description of marriage in Rajasthan.I am from Rajasthan.so much happy to see your this post.that all are normal for me but amazing to them who has not came in Rajasthan.I see your post a wedding in your friends kaushik’s village.there was non-veg.food unable to eat for you.but my daughter’s wedding is held in Haydrabad,Andhra Pradesh.the guys of groom have asked us whatever we wanted to eat in wedding so there was not any non-vegetarian items in wedding party.pure holy climate was presented there.even though your three wedding’s posts are interesting and informative for me.really ,our India has many colours in rituals those are Indian culture’s great specialities.Weldone,my dear!!
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Yes Aruna, ours is a mysterious, fantastical land. It is filled with these stories.
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You are absolutely right,my dear!! Again welcome.
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ha ha yes, Kaushik’s village wedding has been there in my memory for the longest time. I enjoy making photographs of the wedding ceremony, brings me joy. So whenever you think you need a photographer in Andhra Pradesh, please call me 🙂 I will be more than happy to come and oblige.
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But wedding is happened.thanks for your obligation.😊most welcome,dear!!
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Thank you so much Aruna, your words had made my day.
Thanks you again
Narayan x
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Most welcome,dear!!
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Those magical moments you capture with your lens is so impressive, Narayan. But it is your words in describing the scenes, the backstory, and the emotion that makes it so real for us readers. Wonderful work, my friend. Wishing you a wonderful finish to autumn and for greater things ahead. Take care ~
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Dear Dal, your presence always uplifts me. I hope you are planning soon to travel for long again. Thank you, thank you much.
Even though a simmering, tough time is arriving these winters, but i will take your beautiful wish as an autumn leaf for memory.
Thank you again Dal
Narayan x
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Thank you, Narayan. Your note on the tough time simmering with this coming winter is noted, a feeling of taking care of the soul and those around us ~ with those beautiful memories of autumn and the past to guide us. Cheers to you, my friend.
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A very beautiful story!
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Dawn, hi. Yes it was pretty everything that can be included in Love. Also as much harsh but turned colorful by the end.
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Thank you so much for writing. I hope you are doing things happily.
Narayan x
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And you, also!
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Brings memories of our visit to Rajasthan. It was such an amazing site to see. Thanks for sharing this.
Anita
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Anita, yes i remember you telling me once about it. Yes Rajasthan is pure love, color, vibrant and even harsh.
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Thank you so much again for writing.
Narayan x
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Such a well-written and engaging post, loved it!♥️
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Laira, delighted to have you here and makes me happy to know how much you enjoyed it.
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Thank you so much again.
Narayan x
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Well documented.
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Rupali, i somehow missed your rare comment here. Thank you so much. I hope you and family are doing well. My wishes for the coming year.
Narayan x
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Thanks. Sending good wishes.
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The colorful beauty of the wedding was amazing!
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Brenda, thank you for coming over and i think for the very first time. Its true, weddings here are over the top fancy and wonderful to observe.
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Thank you again for writing
Narayan x
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Lovely.
Words, and especially photos. Thanks for sharing.
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Lovely to have you here Selma, i think for the very first time. Thank you for your words and that you enjoyed.
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Oh my! Pleased.
When I wrote my comment and hit send, I didn’t think the comment went through. That it did make it to you pleases me.
Yes. First time. Hope to read more of your work. Thanks for the response. Be well.
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Thank you again.
Narayan x
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well narrated mate.. Wonderful pictures to depict the tradition
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Thank you ‘mate’.
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And thanks for coming to the wedding too. It was an observed experience on screen.
Thanks again
Narayan x
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From documenting travelling camel to ending up documenting a stranger’s journey to his wedding…how crazy and awesome. I’m sure he didn’t remain a stranger for long. I love how he asked you to come along after only meeting you, and how you immediately said yes to this new direction.
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I apologise for writing this late dear Caroline. I hope you are well and on your way to plan all sorts of things on Christmas,
Not at all, he is not a stranger in fact he changed a bit of his path and is actively working in media only after meeting me as he says. We keep in touch and very sweetly so, i like it.
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Also, when color comes, as it came on that night, it is better for me to let it spread.
Thank you so much Caroline, and a beautiful, strong and safe coming new year to you and family.
Narayan x
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Dear Narayan,
Your peerless freedom, exotic photos, magical storytelling, and intimate connections inspire this girl from Texas. I once saw a similar wedding party, like nothing I had ever seen in the suburbs of Dallas. I admired the festivity from a distance and captured some video. You always make me feel as if I’m traveling with you.
❤️
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My dearest Crystal, you may have a little idea how much happiness your presence, your words give. It can be felt with love and your gratitude.
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‘this girl from Texas’ 🙂 lovely place i have heard so much about it. Someday i wish! You are always travelling with me dearest Crystal.
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And i hope family, your son is doing great, preparing for the christmas, for the new year. My heartiest wishes to you.
Narayan x
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Thank you so much for your kind wishes! ❤️
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NARAYAN!!!!!!! AH! This has got to be one of my favorite of Your stories!!!! You all-ways just blow my mind in the most joyous manner! How grandly You take Life and Love by the hand any time The Universe calls to You on any level! You are a wonderful inspiration!!!! I can’t stop smiling! What a brilliant adventure and incredibly generous offer, gift, sharing. Thank You!!!! I hope You are well! Sending huge hugs Your way!!! 🤗💖😊
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Very nice post
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Very Kind of you to write and appreciate it. Thank you.
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Thanks again.
Narayan x
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Nice photos. With all those ‘Ghoonghats,’ I wonder why the bjp objects to the Hijab.
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You are funny father. In all that story of pomp and magic what you saw were ghoonghats and even brought in the hijab. I hope you have considered politics as a future career. Seems you will suit it.
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What a wonderful opportunity to document this wedding. Interesting and vibrant photos, Narayan. Terrific post.
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haha, yes but this opportunity came at a huge price of risk. And as you can purely see how much i enjoyed.
Thank you for the visit too dear Jane.
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What a lovely story. The shots are wonderful, you get such a sense of the atmosphere and the ceremony. I am no stranger to such weddings having been to a few myself. I love the final photo with the woman lying next to her shrine. But my favourite is the one with the green wall, the women in the doorway and the man on the sofa, as it looks so painterly.
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Thank you for writing Sunra, I just remembered i had to write back to you.
You yourself observe very well. Yes the last images completes the cycle. It was the last image of that wedding.
And the image you chose to talk about the second time, green one strangely was used a cover to send for grants to continue this project.
I am delighted you could express this so well as well dear Sunra.
Thank you again, lots of wishes
Narayan
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You are most welcome, Narayan.
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Reblogged this on Write and Create (from Creative Writing Course) and commented:
Happy travelling ‘here, there and everywhere’, Narayan
Best wishes
craig in “Sleepy Hollow” (“stuck here”, as everyone is telling me, otherwise I’d cause too much chaos)
‘Logic may take you somewhere, but imagination will take you here, there and everywhere‘
http://www.facebook.com/craig.lock.31
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Haha. Thanks so much for this lovely share Craig. I hope to keep travelling and sharing as much I can. Thank you.
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You really have created a wonderful article in this post. Please keep up your good work.
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Hey, lovely to have you, your uplifting words here. Welcome. Yes. Its been an ongoing project documenting rituals and celebrations in lesser known towns and villages of India/South Asia.
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I have lived in Thailand and Philippines, and have been drawn to such cultural aspects of their lives. You are doing a good job of letting other people of the world to understand such important aspects of life.
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Thanks so much again.
Narayan x
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Absolutely fascinating. I’ve never been to India, but I could relate to all the activity associate with a wedding. I especially liked your two photos of exhausted people. They remind me of how my family and I felt after putting together and then cleaning up after my sisters’ weddings.
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Allen, I completely missed reading this lovely comment. If you have never come to India, then let me just say that your association with the wedding, the noise, craziness is only half explored. I would love to invite you here. It’s one in a lifetime land this India is, so please do come. And whenever you do, write to me.
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And thanks for writing again.
Narayan
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What fantastic imagery! Love the colors and experience in words.
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Thank you for writing this Jaya. Was delighted to read it yesterday. Thank you again.
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Beautiful pictures and I love the clothing with all the color! Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks much Diane. Yes this part of India is all filled with colors and food is rich with spices and ghee 🙂
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What a wonderful and joyful story and the photos are just beautiful. Well done .
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Marain thank you so much for your kind comment. It was a memorable journey for me too.
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thank you for the beautiful arti6cle it reminds me of an Indian wedding I attended in Jaipur. it was a lifetime experience
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Hello Kat, apologies for writing in late. You are welcome and absolutely I can imagine a wedding that too in the heart of colors city, Jaipur. Surely it cannot be forgotten.
Thanks for your memorable words.
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