It actually began many years ago when I met the man I am now about to marry. Well, if I'm talking about the time when I first met him maybe I should say it began many many lifetimes ago... but that's another day.

I travel to Delhi to collect my wedding dress and mom has organised the Mata's kirtan around my trip.

Even as we park outside the house I can hear the loud singing of bhajans. I enter the house and the drawing is transformed into a temple - complete with an altar and large pictures of the Goddess (Sherawali mata) and some of her Grihasta (married) avatars - Parvati and Shiva , Sita and Ram, Radha and Krishna. Hmm... Grihasta Goddess Avatars... Suddenly the context of this ceremony dawns on me.

I offer the Universal Goddess my deepest love, prayers and gratitude. And for ceremony I include in my offerings a bright red dupatta with gota and kinari, sindur, henna, bindis, red bangles, fruits and sweets - all symbols of marriage and fertility. Its a gesture for dedicating to Her my marriage, my self. We are praying to the Goddess  that I may embody yet another aspect of Her as I begin this new chapter of my life. That I may be another Parvati, Sita, Radha...

Aha! So that's why its mostly a women's affair...

Neighbours I haven't seen in almost 10 years swoop in like storks to plant kisses on my cheeks and congratulate me. A nice lady hugs me and asks, "Did you recognise me, beta? I'm Rahul's mummy". I have no memory of her or her son but she's so sweet that I nod along anyway. She ties mauli on my wrist and guides me in the pooja ritual.

Amid prayers and bhajans someone says, "Shaadi ke gaane...." From another corner another lady starts singing "Madaniyaaa..... Hai ve mere ladeya rabba..." Within seconds the 20 or so pairs of eyes in the room well up... Yes, incredibly, even mine. Another lady is kind enough to distract us into another, less poignant song. My grandmother sings:
"Aaj meri banno di shaadi hai, Mainu godde godde cha"
(My child is getting married, I am knee deep in excitement)

The Mata's Kirtan officially marks the beginning of wedding celebrations. Of my Grihasta Ashram. And of the Goddess's adventures through my life.

P.S. In January this year I had created an artwork called 'A
Burst of Feminine' and put a preditive timeline of 10 months on it.This
Mata's Kirtan has perfect timing.