A video going viral online shows the moment that the varmala ritual at a cross-cultural wedding went hilariously awry. The video was shared on Instagram by an event management company called ‘Weddings by Ekta Saigal Lulla’ and has crossed 2 million views in less than a day.
What is the varmala ritual?
The varmala (or jaimala) ritual in a Hindu wedding is the ceremonial exchange of flower garlands between the bride and groom. The bride and the groom place the garlands around each other’s necks in a custom meant to symbolise mutual acceptance.
The exchange of varmalas usually happens at the beginning of Hindu wedding ceremonies and is typically followed by the pheras and other rituals.
What happened in the viral video?
The video going viral online captures the varmala ritual going wrong at a cross-cultural wedding. It appears to have been filmed during the nuptials of an Indian-origin groom and a foreigner bride.
Two young children, likely not Indian, were apparently tasked with delivering the varmala to the bride and the groom. Their role seems comparable to that of a ring bearer in Christian weddings.
At this wedding, however, the two children were apparently confused about what to do. Instead of handing the garlands to the couple, they placed them around their necks. What made the moment even funnier was the shower of flower petals that rained upon the bride and groom a moment later.
{{/usCountry}}At this wedding, however, the two children were apparently confused about what to do. Instead of handing the garlands to the couple, they placed them around their necks. What made the moment even funnier was the shower of flower petals that rained upon the bride and groom a moment later.
{{/usCountry}}Viewers in splits
The video of the hilarious misstep has gone viral on Instagram, leaving 2 million viewers in splits.
“Will Hindu Marriage Act be applicable on these 4 now?” asked one viewer jokingly.
“Okay but I’m sure the kids were confused because when you go to hotels as foreigners they give you a garland and stuff. So they probably thought it was a respect thing,” another theorized.
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“Rofl this was hilarious,” a person added.
Several viewers were left in split at the timing of the petal shower and wondered what was going through the minds of the Special Effects team.
“Best thing on gram today!!! SFX Guys be - mala gaale main, flower shower on!” wrote one commenter.
“The SFX guy made it even funnier,” another posted.