Subsequently, relishing the humorous moment, Rajeev and Gowthami began dousing each other with rice infused with turmeric.
Everyone threw axes and flower petals at the couple.
In response to Parikshit's inquiry on the purpose of the ceremony, Gurdeep said that Talambralu, the ceremony's name, is a metaphor for the happy, prosperous, and understanding future existence of the couple.
Throughout this ritual, the bride and the groom exchange garlands and give and receive gifts of pearls, rice, saffron, and turmeric. In this Talambra custom, rice plays a crucial part.
Oh, my beloved wife! When you go to our home, the grain is abundant like rafts, and the groom sprinkles Talambras on the bride's head while proclaiming that the grain should be the source of our eternal wealth and the foundation of our life. He prepares everything.
Talambras are then placed over the bride by the husband. In order to aid in the growth of this Kanya Vamsa and bring them serenity, joy, and wealth, the priests pour these Talambras while chanting mantras.
Gowthami and Rajeev just exchanged garlands. Why were they sharing garlands, Parikshit wondered.
As far as Gurdeep is concerned, exchanging garlands is an essential component of a Hindu wedding. Varmala or Jaimala are the names of Garland Exchange.
The Puranas and the Vedas, in which Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva are depicted, state that Goddess Sita and Shri Ramas exchanged garlands (Varmala) on the days of their marriage. As a result, the exchanging of garlands has grown to be a significant ritual in Hindu wedding celebrations. The Swayamvar Ceremony served as the basis for the concept of the garland exchange. Arjun and Draupadi agree to accept the other as their spouse in the Ramayana and Mahabharata stories, where Goddess Sita and Shri Rama are shown sharing a garland.
Thus, the garland reflected such acceptance. Marriage is symbolized by the flower exchange, which represented beauty, joy, and the blending of two souls and minds. The usage of garlands is a courteous gesture toward the gods and a display of respect. Garland is seen as a sign of love and admiration and is thus essential to a wedding ceremony.
..
As Guhya's eyes roamed the wedding stage, he was pulled from his intense focus by a voice nearby. A villager, Baladitya, had approached him, curiosity piqued by this stranger who had been lingering with an unusual air of mystery.
"I haven't asked your name; may I know who you are?" Baladitya asked politely, his tone carrying the warmth and trust of someone from a tight-knit community.
Guhya's thoughts raced. He couldn't risk revealing too much about himself, not when he was so close to uncovering what had been tugging at his memory. No one should know who I am, he thought, quickly formulating a response that would keep him unnoticed.
"My name is Guhya," he said, his voice calm but calculated." I travel a lot. I don't have a family, so all I do is visit the communities, labor for food, and then go on to another one. This is how I live." His words were deliberate, designed to portray him as a harmless wanderer with no ties to anyone.
Baladitya smiled, his face kind and welcoming. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Guhya. My name is Baladitya," he introduced himself, then followed Guhya's gaze back to the wedding stage. "What was that you glimpsed?" he asked, noting Guhya's fixed attention on the bride.
Guhya hesitated, knowing he had to tread carefully. "Oh, nothing much," he finally replied, trying to sound casual. "I just wanted to catch a glimpse of the wedding, that's all. I was hoping to say goodbye to Rajeev before I move on."
Baladitya, unaware of the deeper motives behind Guhya's words, nodded understandingly. "I'll let him know, but with the marriage ceremony underway, it might be hard to see him right away."
Guhya nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. I need to know who that woman is... the one hiding behind the veil. His mind raced with speculation, each theory more unsettling than the last.
"If you could show me a place to stay for a few days, that would be helpful," Guhya said, his eyes still lingering on the stage. He needed more time. He needed to be closer to the family.
"Of course," Baladitya replied kindly. "We can find a place for you to stay. There's a guest house nearby where you'll be comfortable."
Guhya nodded, following Baladitya's lead. But even as he walked away from the wedding stage, his mind remained fixed on one thing: the identity of the veiled bride. He would not leave until he found out the truth.
As Baladitya guided Guhya through the village, his mind wandered back to the meal they had shared just a short while ago. The memory of their earlier conversation surfaced, stirring an uneasy feeling within him.
They had been seated across from one another, with Guhya eating in silence. Baladitya, ever the hospitable villager, had attempted to strike up a conversation. "Hello, it seems like you're new here. What is your destination and where are you heading?" Baladitya had asked, curious about this quiet stranger.
But Guhya's response had been terse, almost dismissive. "I'm in a hurry; I have to leave this village. Thank you for your support," he had said, not offering more than those clipped words. He ate quickly, his eyes never lingering on anyone for too long. There was something off about the way he carried himself—too cautious, too guarded.
At the time, Baladitya had let it go, deciding against pressing the issue. Everyone had their own reasons for keeping to themselves, and it wasn't his place to pry into another person's affairs. But now, with Guhya suddenly asking for a place to stay, that uneasy feeling grew. The change in his behavior was too abrupt. A man in a rush to leave the village, now asking for shelter? It didn't add up.
Baladitya discreetly studied Guhya as they walked. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, but what was it? The stranger's earlier evasiveness, his sudden interest in the wedding, and now this request for lodging—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle Baladitya didn't have the full picture of yet.
Should I help him? Baladitya wondered. Or should I dig deeper?
Yet, out of courtesy and a sense of obligation as a good villager, Baladitya didn't voice his suspicions. He would offer Guhya a place to stay as he promised, but he would keep a closer eye on him. Something about this man was strange, and Baladitya was not one to ignore his instincts.
As they approached the guest house, Baladitya offered a warm smile, though his thoughts remained cautious. "Here's where you can stay for the night. I'll make sure the caretaker knows you're a guest."
Guhya nodded, his expression unreadable. "Thank you," he muttered, though his mind was clearly elsewhere, still preoccupied with something only he knew.
Baladitya turned to leave, but a shadow of doubt lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that Guhya's presence in the village was no mere coincidence. He would need to keep watch, for there was more to this traveler than met the eye.
....