Dahod a.k.a Dohad, a city about which when you read at Wikipedia, would come across enchanting words like fort of Dahod, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's Birth place, model town, biggest commodity markets, world famous institutes etc etc. But ground reality differs. Its a town without roses. I couldn't manage to get a single rose (though I was expecting a large bouquet) to offer Munira on her wedding.
Yes its official now, Munira Baji has transitioned to Munira Mustufa Kanjetawala.
Her marriage was scheduled for a week long ceremony. It was more of a festival than a marriage. I planned my trip by getting a disapproval of leaves and managed to attend the third and second last events.
On Saturday, 5th June 2010 at 5.00AM I started off for this endeavor. Tickets up to Dahod were reserved in the Ferozpur Janta Express. It was a pleasant journey all the way long. Though the train was a bit slow, time passed quick as I made a Petrochemical Engineer friend on the way. We shared plentiful stuff and I departed at Dahod as he continued his tour uptil Delhi. I reached Dahod at 7.30PM that evening and after few checks near the Railway Station checked in to Hotel Vrindavan.
Nikah ceremony was scheduled at 7.30 PM that evening.
Readied up quick and reached Zainab Hall (where it all happened), at 9 PM post Nikah (Gosh! I missed it) when food was being served. I congratulated Munira's mum & dad. He guided me to where Munira was seated and I followed. I met Munira, did some small talk and proceeded to meet Mustufa for the first time. He acknowledged me the moment I met him. 'I have heard a lot about you from Munira' were his first words,which flattered me. We had a candid discussion and I stepped aside for other guests who were lined up to greet him. Photo shoot session continued thereafter ahead till 11PM. I managed to get one with Munira. Followed by dinner, I returned to my hotel room exhausted in order to get some rest and prepare for tomorrow..
At times, it becomes a problem when you get in an over comfortable zone. The mattress laid on the bed was cosier than expected which I am not habituated of. Everything I tried to get sound sleep failed. However, as it struck 6.45 AM I woke up to start my Dahod sight-seeing journey. Started off by having special Gujarati Breakfast at Munira's place.
Nothing much to say, only a few highlights to sum up about the city:
Munira's wedding reception was split in 2 days. First day event was organised by the groom's family and then it was bride's turn to do so. Thousands of guests flowing in greeting both the families, eating food, faking smiles and moving back home, this continued till 3PM in the afternoon. As I am a complete misfit in all these gatherings I passed my time by serving food in the luncheon. The event concluded at 4PM, and I rushed with Munira's brother to the nearest bus stop. Her brother Wazir helped me with a bus towards Vadodara(Baroda) and there on I had to catch another to Pune. It was a longer way back.
I reached Baroda at 8.30 PM that evening. Booked bus tickets for Pune at twice the price I came in. No wonder had to attend office on Monday tomorrow. With an hour to pass for the bus to arrive, I passed my time at a roadside stall eating various Gujarati meal time specialities and read few book introductions at the nearby library.
My journey started at 10.30 PM and I reached Pune at 11.00AM early morning. Throughout my way I recalled the events that took place in the past 2 days. I recalled the times I shared with Munira, the arguments we had, the games we played, the competitions we conducted (especially the Litchi eating one), and the comradeship we shared whilst we were at Noida. Hail to those times. May God Bless Munira and I pray she has a wonderful life ahead.
You can view the photographs here : http://picasaweb.google.com/yhpoonawala/MunirasWedding
Regards,
Younus
Yes its official now, Munira Baji has transitioned to Munira Mustufa Kanjetawala.
Her marriage was scheduled for a week long ceremony. It was more of a festival than a marriage. I planned my trip by getting a disapproval of leaves and managed to attend the third and second last events.
On Saturday, 5th June 2010 at 5.00AM I started off for this endeavor. Tickets up to Dahod were reserved in the Ferozpur Janta Express. It was a pleasant journey all the way long. Though the train was a bit slow, time passed quick as I made a Petrochemical Engineer friend on the way. We shared plentiful stuff and I departed at Dahod as he continued his tour uptil Delhi. I reached Dahod at 7.30PM that evening and after few checks near the Railway Station checked in to Hotel Vrindavan.
Nikah ceremony was scheduled at 7.30 PM that evening.
Readied up quick and reached Zainab Hall (where it all happened), at 9 PM post Nikah (Gosh! I missed it) when food was being served. I congratulated Munira's mum & dad. He guided me to where Munira was seated and I followed. I met Munira, did some small talk and proceeded to meet Mustufa for the first time. He acknowledged me the moment I met him. 'I have heard a lot about you from Munira' were his first words,which flattered me. We had a candid discussion and I stepped aside for other guests who were lined up to greet him. Photo shoot session continued thereafter ahead till 11PM. I managed to get one with Munira. Followed by dinner, I returned to my hotel room exhausted in order to get some rest and prepare for tomorrow..
At times, it becomes a problem when you get in an over comfortable zone. The mattress laid on the bed was cosier than expected which I am not habituated of. Everything I tried to get sound sleep failed. However, as it struck 6.45 AM I woke up to start my Dahod sight-seeing journey. Started off by having special Gujarati Breakfast at Munira's place.
Nothing much to say, only a few highlights to sum up about the city:
- No Roses (proper roses) in the entire town, forget the bouquet!
- A 3 hour walk can sum up the entire sight seeing!
- Dawoodi Bohra is the leading community there.
- Ample of food options (roadside as well has restaurants with Yadgaar Hotel being famous)
- Simple/Cost effective means of living.
Munira's wedding reception was split in 2 days. First day event was organised by the groom's family and then it was bride's turn to do so. Thousands of guests flowing in greeting both the families, eating food, faking smiles and moving back home, this continued till 3PM in the afternoon. As I am a complete misfit in all these gatherings I passed my time by serving food in the luncheon. The event concluded at 4PM, and I rushed with Munira's brother to the nearest bus stop. Her brother Wazir helped me with a bus towards Vadodara(Baroda) and there on I had to catch another to Pune. It was a longer way back.
I reached Baroda at 8.30 PM that evening. Booked bus tickets for Pune at twice the price I came in. No wonder had to attend office on Monday tomorrow. With an hour to pass for the bus to arrive, I passed my time at a roadside stall eating various Gujarati meal time specialities and read few book introductions at the nearby library.
My journey started at 10.30 PM and I reached Pune at 11.00AM early morning. Throughout my way I recalled the events that took place in the past 2 days. I recalled the times I shared with Munira, the arguments we had, the games we played, the competitions we conducted (especially the Litchi eating one), and the comradeship we shared whilst we were at Noida. Hail to those times. May God Bless Munira and I pray she has a wonderful life ahead.
You can view the photographs here : http://picasaweb.google.com/yhpoonawala/MunirasWedding
Regards,
Younus
Last para is very heart touching :) ;) :)
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