A Tale of Two Weddings

Lavish or simple, what will it be?

- Devdutt Pattanaik

In India, we find two types of weddings: the lavish and the simple. Lavish weddings are typically seen in those who follow the Shaiva or Vaishnava path of householders. Simple weddings are typically seen in those who follow the Buddhist or Jain path of hermits.

The lavish wedding is all about grandeur and glamour, processions and parties, extending over months and years, involving never-ending freshly invented rituals, celebrities, social media influencers, Hollywood stars, Bollywood stars, sports persons, the best musicians and dancers, entertainers, international tycoons and tyrants, even spiritual Gurus, besides family, friends and employees, all wearing the finest finery that will never ever be reproduced by the best boutique brands and fashion houses of the world. There will be vintage cars, chariots, exotic pets, private jets, private yachts, private islands. The whole point of such weddings is to evoke envy and to make everyone feel small, and showcase wealth and status. Everything is publicly displayed, on HD screens, complete with botox and photoshop. Such weddings get the attention of the world and force them to acknowledge that India is shining.