VVS Laxman ties the knot

VVS Laxman tied the nuptial knot with computer science student G R Sailaja at a simple ceremony at Jewel Gardens in Secunderabad at 53 minutes past midnight on Monday, February 16.

About 1000 guests graced the ceremony. They included relatives and friends on both sides. Security was particularly tight at the venue and entry was restricted to only those with invites.  

Clad in a three-piece suit, the stylish batsman arrived at the venue in a Mercedes Benz, accompanied by his parents. The bride, clad in an orange kanjeevaram saree, joined him for the pre-wedding reception. School teachers and classmates of Laxman from Little Flower School and prominent doctor-colleagues and acquaintances of Laxman's doctor-parents were among the guests.

At 0053 hours, the wedding was performed. The entire ceremony was held in Shukla Yajurveda traditions for the Vaidiki Brahmin couple with their family purohit chanting hymns. Laxman and Sailaja exchanged the garlands.

Celebrations began at 6 am on Sunday morning at Laxman's residence at Srinagar colony with the snatakam ritual, a customary ritual where the bride was formally proposed by her brother and other elders to the bridegroom. 

The food was strictly vegetarian with a wide variety of Chinese, North Indian and Andhra delicacies.

None of the cricketers was present on the occasion but the Indian cricket team members were expected to call on the newly wed couple at a grand reception being hosted at Taj Krishna hotel later in the evening. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, politicians, officials, industrialists, film personalities and other dignitaries are also expected.

The local media will be allowed a 10-minute photo-session before the gala reception.