Worldly Weddings and Karmic Culture

Inside the temple complex, Hindu's hang beads (or poorer Hindu's tie a piece of cloth)
on the branches of a tree as an offering to the Gods
so that they may become fertile,
and conceive within three years of leaving their offering. 

The days leading up to a wedding, 

the family house is decorated with fresh flowers, offerings and lights. 

In November, the Hindu community celebrates Diwali, "the festival of lights".
Although Diwali was officilay earlier in the month, the family had not yet celebrated,
and took advantage of being all together for the wedding occasion.
 

The bride and groom are blessed by all close relatives using Kumkuma,
a deep red powder made with dried Turmeric.
After bowing before the relatives, their foreheads are marked
by dipping the thumb or forefinger in the powder,
and pressing the powder onto the foreheads of the couple, marking the sixth charkra.

 At a party called "Mehendi" the bride has her hands, arms and feet
richly decorated with intricate designs applied in Henna.
Female guests may also have their hands decorated with less elaborate designs.