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The
day begins, and
the preparations are
being made. All the
necessary pieces for the
blessing are brought and
setup in due order.
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Vrunda
and her sister,
Payal, enjoy the nice
morning air out on the
house patio.
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Kushal and Payal are
almost ready for the
blessing to start. Kushal
will be very busy today.
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Kushal's
great aunt.
She had this funny
expression on her face
the entire day.
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Kushal's
grandmother on
the left, great aunt on
the right, and I think
another relative in the
m iddle.
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Well,
the blessing
is now fully under way,
with the flames roaring,
using the typical cow
patties for fuel, and
our priests attend to
the details.
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Kushal
begins, and he
knows the day is far from
over. A stout heart and
a courageous soul is so
required for performing
his duties this day.
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The
fire roars, with
the 4 important Hindu
gods being recognized
from the beginning.
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The
women enjoy
themselves in the back
room with good conversation
and cheer.
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Our
house worker brings
water and snacks around
to everyone during the
many small breaks from
the blessing.
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Kushal,
sword in hand,
begins the downward
blow that will sever the
watermellon in two.
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With
increasing speed,
the sword falls...
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...
and cut! The blow was
perfect, leaving two
completely symmetrical
halves of the melon.
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More
conversation in the
back by the many lovely
Indian ladies.
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The
blessings continue,
with Kushal, Vrunda, Jamie
and Toshal (the grandchildren
and their spouses) being
very much involved.
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Kushal
lays a wreath
of flowers around
Vrunda's neck.
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