A Sri Lanka Poruwa Buddhist Wedding

Below some photographs from a Sri Lanka Poruwa Buddhist wedding in our hotel, which is a wonderful and a colourful happening.
It was a public wedding, which means one could take pictures without permission of the bride and groom. It was very sympathetic couple, so I don't think they mind.

1. The groom is escorted to the wedding location by drummers and typical Kandyan dancers in procession.
2. A beautifully dressed up elephant.
3. Kandyan dancers near the “Poruwa”.
   “Poruwa” is an elevated and beautifully decorated wedding platform on which the couple remains standing during the ceremony.
4. The ceremony starts when the couple offers 7 betel leaf bundles to the Gods with the request for protecting the lives of seven generations originating from their marriage.
5. The small finger of the bride and groom is tied with a golden thread to symbolise the bond and unity and then is poured holy water over the fingers. Water and earth being the eternal verities, the water so poured and the earth on which it falls are intended to be the lasting witnesses to the marriage.
6. Chathurthi Karma - The bride and groom feed each other four times for nourishment of the bone, muscle, skin and soul.
7. The couple steps down from the "Poruwa" and a fresh coconut is broken in front of the couple to drive away evil spirits.
8. It is not so easy to light a brass oil lamp when there is a wind. This is done to signify their resolve to keep the home fires burning and for a bright future.