Wedding Costs!
Source: IRIS (25-NOV-09)
Though some people do not agree to the old proverb- marriages are made in heaven, they all agree that the riches spent behind it are funded only from earth. Where two families meet and two souls unite, there is a long list of rituals and traditions that need to be respected. However, there is no paradigm set for the expenses.
The Wish-list
Who does not wish to have a wedding in the Mittals and the Chatwals style! But ultimately it is you who knows where to draw the line. Yes, marriage has certain requirements - you need a wedding hall; invitation cards, catering services, photographers, orchestra, decorators, guest accommodation, vehicles, trousseau, jewellery, gifts etc. Where to cut the cost and where not is all you need to decide wisely. And we can help you in that with some of the best practiced methods.
The Check-list
The average cost of a standard Indian wedding may range anywhere between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 6 lakh. Though many of the marriages today go beyond this to meet the demands of the other party or display their status, smartness lies in limiting the over-expenses.
The investments
Amid all expenses of wedding, you might be planning to take help from the investments in mutual funds, stocks and the balance in your savings account. Rank them on the basis of returns they generate, liquidate those that deliver the least returns. It is always advisable to avoid borrowing as that might only add to the financial burden. It is much easier to downsize rather than borrow.
The Cost
Cost of expense needs to be planned keeping in mind all the requirements of the marriage. First of all you must have a complete list of all the expense areas so that you can fix and distribute the expense accordingly.
For example write down roughly the number of people you expect will turn up. This is the basis for all further assumptions you would make regarding your wedding expenses. So keep the figure at realistic levels. Next step can be the hunting and finalizing of hall, caterers, and all this as early as possible- preferably 5-6 months in advance. This can help you get best of the deals and you will also have lot of choices to choose from.
The Cuttings
Some of the areas where you can actually cut the cost and be benefited are-
Guest list: Always remember that the longer the guest list, the higher would be the cost. Additional invitations, additional plates for the caterer, additional rooms for accommodation, will all balloon into a big sum. So, try to confine your guest list to the most loved and dear ones. You could always throw a small party for the office colleagues and friends at your home after the marriage.
Invitation
Usual wedding cards are priced anywhere between Rs 15 and Rs 50 a piece. If possible try not to get in the fancy choices as the traditional cards are considered auspicious event today. And yes, they have reasonable rates. One of the money saving moves could be to e-mail your invite and you can use it to invite your friends.
Cuisine
It is an old belief that the number of dishes is discussed more than their tastes at any wedding. This might be true for people who are running in the race of status and symbol. But ultimately it is the quality that counts. It is a wedding and so there cannot be just 3-4 options, but you can always plan the menu with a sincere thought on good `food` and not a good `show`. Arranging it in a buffet could also save a lot of money.
Wedding wear
Most Indians spend heavily on the wedding trousseau. After all he/she has to look the best. But again, a smart choice can meet both the requirements of looking good and saving money. It is not wrong to look of designer unique clothes, but yes, a limitation in price-range must be carried.
Discounts
In most of the instances, marriages are finalized much earlier than the final day of wedding. So, you have ample time to look for or wait for discounts and special offers in shops. Whether it is the wedding wear, the jewelry, gifts, or anything, a discount can help you save a good amount. So, try to be updated on that.
High season
Industry experts say that nearly 70% of weddings take place in May, when venue costs peak because of the demand. Pick an off-season wedding date and your costs of hiring a venue would be significantly lower. Even hiring vehicles would cost you less.
Insurance
The concept of wedding insurance, though not so popular in India, can also be a good step towards avoiding any unpredictable expenses. Normally the wedding insurance policy covers wedding cancellation/postponement due to fire or any natural disaster, accident of the bride/groom, accident of blood relations for a seven-day range (three days prior to the wedding date, the wedding date, and three days after the wedding date), damage to property including the venue, burglary, and even cases of food poisoning at the function. However, there are several cases which are excluded from the criteria of claiming the policy, for example the cancellation of marriage due to dispute between the two families.
Typical wedding insurance plans include Rs 2 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, Rs 6 lakh, and Rs 8 lakh covers, with their premiums (indicative) ranging from Rs 3,770 to Rs 14,276.
http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20091125190412194&dir=2009/11/25&secID=livenews
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wedding halls packed to capacity
Wedding halls packed to capacity
TNN 23 November 2009, 11:30pm IST
KANPUR: With more than 10,000 weddings falling on three auspicious days on November 26, 29 and 30, the locals are left with but few options to decide the wedding venue. While the majority of parks, banquet halls, guest houses and wedding lawns got booked 8 to 9 months prior to the wedding dates, those who reached late are finding it hard to book a suitable venue for performing the ceremonies.
Aadietya Pandey, a city based astrologer said, "According to the Hindu custom, the auspicious time for wedding starts from `Devuthan'-- the period when Lord Narayan wakes up after four months of long sleep. On these three days -- November 26, 29 and 30, the sun is transiting in Scorpio which is the sign of planet Mars. This in turn affects the position of planet Jupiter, making these days auspicious."
Another astrologer, Pandit Geeteshwar said, "After December 12, there is hardly any `muhurat'. The planetary positions are not favourable for marriage after November, so a majority of people will tie the knot on these three auspicious days."
At the same time, the shortage of hotels in the city too has made the locals search for other venues as few could afford to book the five star hotels.
"Searching for a wedding venue has become tougher than searching for a life partner. As most of the city halls are booked for the day we had no option but to book a Gurudwara for wedding," said Rahul Kapoor, a software engineer, who will be tying the knot on November 29.
"I have been searching hard to get a suitable place for my wedding party. As such the five star hotels and the palatial bungalows are too expensive to afford. And the strength of members attending the party is too high following which I had to pay double the amount for booking a farm house on the Lucknow- Kanpur highway," said Ashwin Bajpai, a 28-year-old, whose wedding date has been fixed for November 30.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Wedding-halls-packed-to-capacity/articleshow/5262252.cms
TNN 23 November 2009, 11:30pm IST
KANPUR: With more than 10,000 weddings falling on three auspicious days on November 26, 29 and 30, the locals are left with but few options to decide the wedding venue. While the majority of parks, banquet halls, guest houses and wedding lawns got booked 8 to 9 months prior to the wedding dates, those who reached late are finding it hard to book a suitable venue for performing the ceremonies.
Aadietya Pandey, a city based astrologer said, "According to the Hindu custom, the auspicious time for wedding starts from `Devuthan'-- the period when Lord Narayan wakes up after four months of long sleep. On these three days -- November 26, 29 and 30, the sun is transiting in Scorpio which is the sign of planet Mars. This in turn affects the position of planet Jupiter, making these days auspicious."
Another astrologer, Pandit Geeteshwar said, "After December 12, there is hardly any `muhurat'. The planetary positions are not favourable for marriage after November, so a majority of people will tie the knot on these three auspicious days."
At the same time, the shortage of hotels in the city too has made the locals search for other venues as few could afford to book the five star hotels.
"Searching for a wedding venue has become tougher than searching for a life partner. As most of the city halls are booked for the day we had no option but to book a Gurudwara for wedding," said Rahul Kapoor, a software engineer, who will be tying the knot on November 29.
"I have been searching hard to get a suitable place for my wedding party. As such the five star hotels and the palatial bungalows are too expensive to afford. And the strength of members attending the party is too high following which I had to pay double the amount for booking a farm house on the Lucknow- Kanpur highway," said Ashwin Bajpai, a 28-year-old, whose wedding date has been fixed for November 30.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Wedding-halls-packed-to-capacity/articleshow/5262252.cms
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Women As Hindu Priests Have An Edge
Women As Hindu Priests Have An Edge
By Daksha Warty
PUNE, India, Nov 24 (IPS) - Defying Hindu orthodoxy and intolerant male priests, women in Maharashtra state, western India, have revived a Vedic tradition and become priests.
Approximately 700 women, most of them from Pune, a busy metropolis, 164-km south of Mumbai (previously Bombay), have undergone the necessary training since the seventies, and many of them are practicing.
"Women priests perform all kinds of rites - upanayana (thread ceremony), adoption, engagement, marriage, remarriage, conversion, reconversion, house warming, ancestor worship and last rites," says Arya Joshi, 29, a researcher and instructor at the Pune-based Gyan Prabhodini.
Arya told IPS that researchers at the institute are working on simplifying the rites and rituals of the Hindu dharmashastra (code of conduct including moral and social obligations).
"The institution is addressing the spiritual needs of the progressive Hindu who wants to break away from difficult ritualistic offerings," she says.
As priests, the women challenge many stereotypes including caste. Training is open to women from all castes (Brahmins claim they are the only priestly caste), and whether they are single, married, widowed or divorced.
"Our society never asks a male priest whether he is a widower or a divorcee, or single. He conducts the prayers and rituals. So why should women be treated differently," says Arya, who is married and was introduced to Hindu theology by her father, a preacher.
Sunanda Joshi, 64, is a multi-lingual priest. She conducts pujas (prayers) in Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi. She says that her early years were hard, as she had to constantly prove herself. Now, although a widow, she is one of the most sought after women priests in Pune.
She observes a change, over the years, in people's expectations and wants. Many Hindus now prefer to keep the religious rites and rituals short, she says. Also, there's a new concern for the environment - people do not want 'havans' or 'yagnas' where firewood has to be burnt. "They don't want to waste wood nor do they want to create smoke," she says.
In addition, at some of the marriages she has conducted, brides have refused to wear the mangalsutra (a pendant worn on a gold chain or thread to symbolise marriage), she says, because there are no such equivalent ritualistic demands on men. "The girls feel that husbands too must have such customs," she says.
Historically the earliest mention of women participating in ritualistic offerings or Brahmavadinis (those who interpret the scriptures) is in the Rig Veda (between 3300 and 1300 BC, in chapters 5.28 and 10.125). There were 27 Brahmavadinis, who performed rituals and were also acharyas (teachers).
"At the Prabhodini we encourage everyone to participate and read from the text. A copy of the chants is given to everyone," says Arya who is working towards a doctorate on the concept of shraddha (charity) in last rite rituals.
So, does the Hindu laity think a woman priest is different to the traditional male priest? "Women priests are very committed," writes Mahesh Madhukar Prabhudesai who hosted a prayer recently, in a letter of appreciation to the Prabhodini. "They explain all the (steps) offerings during the pujas."
Girish Manohar Mokashi who had a woman priest conduct his mother's last rites says, "The eleventh day rituals were performed. It was a very satisfying and a noble experience. The rituals were explained to us. All (the) family members were made a part of the rituals. We thank the priest for making us feel very close and one with our mother."
A priest has to be fluent in Sanskrit to be able to interpret the rituals to worshippers.
Madhuri Karvade recalls the most difficult part of her training was mastering Sanskrit. She told IPS: "It took me nine years to learn and pronounce the words in Sanskrit. I tried hard specially for the last rites. An old lady was so impressed that she has fixed my services for her last rites!"
What is the reaction of male priests to the invasion of their territory by women?
"It appears we (male priests) are not doing our job properly," says a defensive Rajesh Khodke, 32, a journalist-turned-priest who is the rector of the boys hostel at Gyan Prabhodini, which is located off Tilak Road in the city. "Only women priests are grabbing attention. We too want to be noticed," he complains.
Pradeep Deo, 55, who previously worked in a pharmacy, feels that too much is being made of the women priests. "Whether male or female, we just have to do our job," he says.
Male priests still dominate the profession. "Societal attitudes are changing towards us, but the process is slow," observes Arya.
According to Sunanda, whose 42-year-old divorced daughter is training to be a priest, the few times there has been scepticism about her capabilities, it has been from women. "When we are approached by families, everything goes well till the lady of the house sees us and says a polite no!"
"Women priests are committed and their expertise in conducting the pujas is widely acknowledged," says Arya. "Yet they remain the second choice (after male priests), something that is going to take a long while to change." (END/2009)
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49389
By Daksha Warty
PUNE, India, Nov 24 (IPS) - Defying Hindu orthodoxy and intolerant male priests, women in Maharashtra state, western India, have revived a Vedic tradition and become priests.
Approximately 700 women, most of them from Pune, a busy metropolis, 164-km south of Mumbai (previously Bombay), have undergone the necessary training since the seventies, and many of them are practicing.
"Women priests perform all kinds of rites - upanayana (thread ceremony), adoption, engagement, marriage, remarriage, conversion, reconversion, house warming, ancestor worship and last rites," says Arya Joshi, 29, a researcher and instructor at the Pune-based Gyan Prabhodini.
Arya told IPS that researchers at the institute are working on simplifying the rites and rituals of the Hindu dharmashastra (code of conduct including moral and social obligations).
"The institution is addressing the spiritual needs of the progressive Hindu who wants to break away from difficult ritualistic offerings," she says.
As priests, the women challenge many stereotypes including caste. Training is open to women from all castes (Brahmins claim they are the only priestly caste), and whether they are single, married, widowed or divorced.
"Our society never asks a male priest whether he is a widower or a divorcee, or single. He conducts the prayers and rituals. So why should women be treated differently," says Arya, who is married and was introduced to Hindu theology by her father, a preacher.
Sunanda Joshi, 64, is a multi-lingual priest. She conducts pujas (prayers) in Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi. She says that her early years were hard, as she had to constantly prove herself. Now, although a widow, she is one of the most sought after women priests in Pune.
She observes a change, over the years, in people's expectations and wants. Many Hindus now prefer to keep the religious rites and rituals short, she says. Also, there's a new concern for the environment - people do not want 'havans' or 'yagnas' where firewood has to be burnt. "They don't want to waste wood nor do they want to create smoke," she says.
In addition, at some of the marriages she has conducted, brides have refused to wear the mangalsutra (a pendant worn on a gold chain or thread to symbolise marriage), she says, because there are no such equivalent ritualistic demands on men. "The girls feel that husbands too must have such customs," she says.
Historically the earliest mention of women participating in ritualistic offerings or Brahmavadinis (those who interpret the scriptures) is in the Rig Veda (between 3300 and 1300 BC, in chapters 5.28 and 10.125). There were 27 Brahmavadinis, who performed rituals and were also acharyas (teachers).
"At the Prabhodini we encourage everyone to participate and read from the text. A copy of the chants is given to everyone," says Arya who is working towards a doctorate on the concept of shraddha (charity) in last rite rituals.
So, does the Hindu laity think a woman priest is different to the traditional male priest? "Women priests are very committed," writes Mahesh Madhukar Prabhudesai who hosted a prayer recently, in a letter of appreciation to the Prabhodini. "They explain all the (steps) offerings during the pujas."
Girish Manohar Mokashi who had a woman priest conduct his mother's last rites says, "The eleventh day rituals were performed. It was a very satisfying and a noble experience. The rituals were explained to us. All (the) family members were made a part of the rituals. We thank the priest for making us feel very close and one with our mother."
A priest has to be fluent in Sanskrit to be able to interpret the rituals to worshippers.
Madhuri Karvade recalls the most difficult part of her training was mastering Sanskrit. She told IPS: "It took me nine years to learn and pronounce the words in Sanskrit. I tried hard specially for the last rites. An old lady was so impressed that she has fixed my services for her last rites!"
What is the reaction of male priests to the invasion of their territory by women?
"It appears we (male priests) are not doing our job properly," says a defensive Rajesh Khodke, 32, a journalist-turned-priest who is the rector of the boys hostel at Gyan Prabhodini, which is located off Tilak Road in the city. "Only women priests are grabbing attention. We too want to be noticed," he complains.
Pradeep Deo, 55, who previously worked in a pharmacy, feels that too much is being made of the women priests. "Whether male or female, we just have to do our job," he says.
Male priests still dominate the profession. "Societal attitudes are changing towards us, but the process is slow," observes Arya.
According to Sunanda, whose 42-year-old divorced daughter is training to be a priest, the few times there has been scepticism about her capabilities, it has been from women. "When we are approached by families, everything goes well till the lady of the house sees us and says a polite no!"
"Women priests are committed and their expertise in conducting the pujas is widely acknowledged," says Arya. "Yet they remain the second choice (after male priests), something that is going to take a long while to change." (END/2009)
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49389
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