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Traditional ceremonies like Gol Dhana and Chunari Vidhi are followed by the exchange of rings
Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani got formally engaged today amidst family, friends and revered traditions at the Ambani residence.
Age-old traditions such as the Gol Dhana and Chunari Vidhi – followed for generations among Gujarati Hindu families – were conducted with great enthusiasm in the family temple and ceremony areas even as the families exchanged gifts and greetings, bonhomie and fun.
The gathering was treated to a surprise performance by Ambani family members, led by Anant’s mother, Nita Ambani.
Gol Dhana – literally meaning jaggery and coriander seeds – is a pre-wedding ceremony in Gujarati traditions, akin to an engagement. These items are distributed at the groom’s house, where the event takes place. The bride’s family comes to the groom’s residence with gifts and sweets and then the couple exchanges rings. After exchanging rings, the couple seeks blessings from their elders.
The evening’s festivities started with members of the Ambani family, led by Anant’s sister Isha, going to the Merchant residence to invite them and Radhika to the evening’s functions. The Merchant family was received warmly by the Ambani family at their residence amidst aarti and chanting of mantras.
The families followed Anant and Radhika to the temple to seek Lord Krishna’s blessings for the union and the evening ceremonies. From there, the group moved to the ceremony venue to start the functions with a Ganesh puja, followed by the reading of the traditional Lagan Patrika or the invitation to the upcoming wedding.
Gol Dhana and the Chunari Vidhi followed, with blessings and gifts exchanged between Anant and Radhika’s families. A surprise dance performance by the Ambani family members, led by Nita Ambani, was cheered and added to the enthusiasm and familial bonding among all present.
Sister Isha then announced the commencement of the ring ceremony, and Anant and Radhika exchanged rings in front of family and friends and sought their blessings for their upcoming union.
Anant and Radhika have known each other for a few years and today’s engagement ceremonies bring them closer to their upcoming marriage in the coming months. Both families seek the blessings and good wishes of everyone for Radhika and Anant.
