Haridwar witnessed a unique celebration of love on Saturday when two Russian couples got married as per Hindu rituals. The wedding took place at the Akhand Param Dham Ashram where the couples followed Indian rituals and took seven vows with Vedic chanting.Seven rounds) was wrapped around the sacred fire, symbolizing their commitment.
The couple, married for 20 years and having three children, have decided to renew their marriage as per Hindu rituals, a guest told news agency PTI.
“They have already tested their relationship and are confident that they will be together for life,” the guest said. “Their admiration for Indian culture inspired them to renew their vows here.”
The wedding ceremony was conducted by the ashram’s priest, who shared information about the growing international interest in Indian culture.
“Every year we organise meditation camps here in which people from across the world come,” he told PTI.
“Many people come for spiritual guidance and to receive mantras and blessings from Gurudev Bhagwan. Today, these two couples decided to get married according to Indian customs, so we conducted their weddings following Vedic traditions.”
The couples were dressed in traditional Indian attire, and the brides wore mehndi.Henna) created designs on their hands. Friends and family joined in the celebration, dancing and singing. They wore floral garlands, adding to the festive atmosphere of an Indian wedding.
Guests who attended the wedding spoke about how impressed the Russian couple were with Indian culture. “The couple wanted a bond that would last not just for one life but seven lives, as they had heard that Indian weddings symbolise an unbreakable bond. That is why they decided to get married according to Hindu rituals,” said one guest.
This is not the first instance of Russians adopting Indian culture. In October 2023, three Russian couples got married in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the Akhand Paramdham Ashram in Haridwar. The couple, who were part of a 50-member Russian pilgrim group, were impressed by Indian culture and decided to get married in a Hindu ceremony. The wedding ceremony included a procession of the three brides, seeking blessings from Lord Shiva and taking seven rounds around the holy fire. The couples wore traditional Indian attire and the ceremony was accompanied by Hindi songs, drums and Uttarakhandi musical instruments.
