Jodhpur readies for Liz-Arun wedding

Jodhpur's majestic 548-year-old Meherangarh Fort decks up to host the Indian wedding of celebrity couple Hollywood actor Liz Hurley and her tycoon fiancee Arun Nayar on March 9. But first, they will wed on March 3 in a London church.

High profile guests like Hugh Grant, actor and ex-flame of Hurley, England footballer David Beckham and his wife Victoria and several others are likely to be present at the Jodhpur wedding. They will be in Rajasthan from March 7 to 10.

Sources reveal the gala dinner on March 9 at Meherangarh fort, built by Rao Jodha in May, 1459, will have a typical Rajasthani feel with folk singers Manganiars and Langas enhancing the settings. Rajasthani folk dances like Ghoomar, tehra taali will also be a part of the festivities. Different sections of the fort like the Chokhe Lau, Daulat Khana, Moti Mahal will be the venue for a variety of programmes like sangeet, food, disco etc.

There will be a special dress code for the guests -- pink saris for the women and Kesariya safas for the men to lend an authentic Rajasthani feel to the wedding.

Jodhpur's Meherangarh Fort will be closed to tourists on March 9. The fort will be lighted up and security arrangements have been intensified.

Preparations are said to be on in full swing at two other scenically grand heritage hotels as well, for what could be termed as the 'Wedding of the Year'. The guests are to be put up at the 65-year-old Umaid Bhavan Palace.

At least 347 rooms and suites of Umaid Bhavan Palace hotel, spread over 26 acres, have been booked for the famous guests. The newly-weds would be guests of the royal family in their private quarters.

Erstwhile Maharaja Gaj Singh and his family reside in one part of the palace, while other part is a museum. The hotel is being run by the Taj group.

One of the other venues for the celebrations is Balsamand Palace, another heritage hotel, around 5 km km from Jodhpur. The palace built along a lake has an enchanting ambience. The party will be held on the banks of this cosy, ancient palace. The Nagaur Fort has also been enlisted for the festivities.

The food for over 200 guests will include Indian, Mexican, Italian and Continental cuisine, which will be prepared by chefs from Britain.

Liz is so fascinated by India that her wedding gown costs about $ 7,800, and has been prepared by Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani.

Liz and Nayar have been visiting Udaipur's Devigarh fort, a heritage hotel, for the last three-four years since their courtship began.

Wowed by Devigarh's awesome architecture and beauty, Liz had initially decided to tie the knot there. But being small, the hotel would not have been able to accommodate all her guests. That is why Arun and Liz settled for Jodhpur.

Thereafter, the celebrations will shift to Mumbai.