Extravagant Seven-Month Wedding Celebration Captivates India

In a remarkable display of opulence, the wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant have stretched over seven months, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern celebrations. The couple's journey began with a modest engagement at a temple in Rajasthan on December 29, where they were surrounded by family and close friends. This intimate moment set the stage for a series of lavish events that would follow. The engagement party in January featured a star-studded guest list, including Bollywood icons like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Deepika Padukone. The celebrations continued with a grand European cruise party, culminating in a mass wedding ceremony, or “Samuh Vivah,” held in Palghar, near Mumbai, on July 2. This event was marked by a vibrant “sangeet” night at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center, where international pop sensation Justin Bieber performed. As the wedding festivities progressed, traditional rituals were incorporated, including a “haldi” ceremony where family and friends applied turmeric paste to bless the couple. The culmination of the wedding events will take place with the “Shubh Ashirwad” ceremony, a significant Hindu tradition that follows the nuptials. Guests are expected to don “Indian chic” attire for this final celebration, which will be hosted at the Ambani family's luxurious 27-story residence, Antilia, solidifying the event's status as a hallmark of extravagance in Indian wedding culture.