Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Wedding Ceremonies Kickstart With Mameru Ceremony, Here’s What It Means
Anant Ambani, among the wealthiest successors, has plans to tie the knot with Radhika Merchant. They are set to wed on July 12, a ceremony emerging as India's most noteworthy and extravagant wedding of the year. Scroll down to find more details.
The pre-wedding celebrations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant have started in a majestic way with the Mameru ceremony, a traditional Gujarati ritual, hosted at their plush home, Antilia, in Mumbai. This custom sees the bride’s maternal uncle hand over goodies and presents such as jewellery, sarees and much more to the bride. Read on to find more details.
On July 2nd, the Ambani family hosted a large-scale wedding event in support of the less fortunate in Navi Mumbai. Through an Instagram share by Varinder Chawla, glimpses of the grand venue and partners prepping for their big day were offered to the world. Viral Bhayani, further took to Instagram to share a moment from the event – the arrival of Mukesh and Nita Ambani at the venue. Nita Ambani could be seen in an elegant red saree, whereas Mukesh Ambani sported a classy, understated attire consisting of black pants and a white shirt.
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What is ‘Mameru’ Ceremony?
Mameru, or Mosaalu as some call it, is a beloved tradition hailing from the heart of Gujarat. It kicks off when the maternal uncle of the bride, affectionately known as ‘mama’, and the husband of her maternal aunt, labelled ‘mousa’, visit her abode. With them, they bring an array of thoughtful gifts and good wishes for the soon-to-be bride. Picture a beautiful saree, alluring jewelry, chic ivory or white bangles, delicious sweets, and delectable dried fruits. This tradition is of immense emotional weight, signifying the earnest encouragement from her maternal side as she embarks on the transformative journey into married life.
In Gujarati customs, a significant event is the ‘gol dhana’ ceremony. It’s the point where the couple’s engagement becomes official and shared with family. This special moment is marked by the exchange of rings, signifying mutual commitment. Interestingly, Merchant and Ambani decided to uphold this tradition, announcing their commitment to each other in a classic ‘gol dhana’ in Mumbai, January 2023. Adding a dash of intrigue, prior to their formal engagement, the couple commenced their marriage celebrations with a unique ceremony at the Shrinathji Temple in Rajasthan on December 29, 2022.
In a wedding celebration, the custom of “varghodo” represents the procession of the groom towards the wedding venue. The couple meets at the “mandap” and exchanges garlands in the “jaimala” ceremony, a demonstration of their vow to each other as life companions. Accompanied by her maternal uncles, the bride makes a dramatic entrance during the “kanya aagman” ritual. The groom’s mother performs an “aarti” as a way of welcoming the bride into their family. These traditional practices are expected to be part of the upcoming wedding.
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s Wedding Gala
The much-anticipated Shubh Vivaah, or main wedding ceremony, is lined up for the 12th of July, to be held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The revelries continue to the next day, the 13th of July, with the Shubh Aashirdwad ceremony. Attendees are kindly requested to adorn themselves in Indian formals for this occasion. Wrapping up the jubilations on the 14th of July, guests will be treated to the Mangal Utsav, the wedding reception, with the theme for dress code being ‘Indian chic.’
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