In our part of the country, we celebrate Bhai Phota (Brüder Pünktchen) when the sister prays for her brother's safety, success and well being.
This event is ceremoniously performed by the loving sister who religiously fasts the entire morning until she applies a 'phonta' of sandal wood paste on her brother's forehead, pray for his safety and offer him sweets and gifts. The brother also eagerly waits for his sister to apply the 'phonta' and in turn lavishes her with love and gifts.
These days we also celebrate Rakhi since India has become a cauldron of cultures that have intermingled. Unknown wedding customs like 'Ladies Sangeet' (which I found in Punjab is an excuse for the men to drink themselves silly without the nagging of the wives), mehendi ceremony etc have also crept in, adding to expenses that could be better utilised in whatever are the customary festivals.
One has to attend a Sardar's wedding to realise the lavish display of wealth!
I have attended quite a few and they are a riot with burly Sardars doing the bhangra when they like and where they like (like stopping the bus in the middle of the street and jumping out to do the bhangra and then jumping back and so on) and then the twirling of money over the head in a ceremony I think is called Milni.
and the food - tables and tables of it.
I waited till the end to see the waste. Most of it went waste since the men were to drunk to even eat it.
My Sardar friends love to invite me so that I see all this and they love my being discomfited. When I declined to attend for one such wedding, the chap sent me an airline ticket!
How they love to torture me!
I love the Sardars since they are lovable like a Giant Panda and they look like angry Grizzly Bears! No offence meant. They are the nicest and cutest of all chaps.
The Sikhnis are the best!
There is a rude saying they themselves say which starts - Jo sohnio Sikhni, te.........
Anyone?
