Two Indian grooms had a traditional Hindu wedding, and their pictures from the nuptials have gone viral with people loving the same-sex ceremony.
Amit Shah, a dance choreographer, married Aditya Madiraju, who works in risk management, in an intimate ceremony at a temple in New Jersey on July 19.
They originally got married at city hall in New York City in January, but the couple decided to host another wedding in a Hindu temple because it was important for them to stick to tradition.
Photos of two Indian grooms celebrating a traditional Hindu wedding in a temple in New York have gone viral with people loving the stylish same-sex ceremony (photos by Charmi Pena Photography)
Amit Shah (left), 32, and Aditya Madiraju (right), 31, hosted a wedding in a Hindu temple because it was important for them to stick to tradition
‘Love is meant to be celebrated,’ reads one of Shah’s captions on Instagram about his recent nuptials to Madiraju
‘Having a traditional wedding is something that wasn’t out of ordinary for either of us as we come from pretty traditional and conservative backgrounds,’ Madiraju, 31, told Irish News.
Madiraju was originally born in South India but moved to the United States nine years ago; he then met Shah, 32, three years ago at a party hosted by a mutual friend.
‘We met three years ago in a small lower east side bar for a friend’s birthday. Since that night, we have been together,’ Shah told Vogue India.
‘Although we have completely different personalities, thanks to our similar interests we hit it off instantly. Madiraju is very creative. For me, being in performing arts, that was very important. I desired a partner who is passionate.’
A year in the relationship, ‘we realised, we loved each other, and came out to our parents.’
‘We are truly lucky to have parents who are so supportive,’ he said.
They got engaged and made the marriage official at city hall before deciding to take their marriage one step further under the traditions of their Hindu religion.
‘Our parents have taught us a lot about religion and how to follow customs,’ Madiraju said, adding: ‘After we got married at city hall, we knew we wanted something more traditional with our families and friends involved.
‘For us, it didn’t seem complete until we had a chance to conduct the proper Hindu prayers.’
The couple kicked off their wedding celebrations with an intimate and laid-back mehandi party in their backyard, where they both wore angarkha-style kurtas by Bohame in grey and black.
The couple kicked off their wedding celebrations with an intimate and laid-back mehandi party in their backyard, where they both wore angarkha-style kurtas by Bohame in grey and black (photo by Paulo Salud Photography)
For their big July 19 celebration, they chose the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey, known for its impressive architecture and intricate marble carvings
The pair loved the responses they were receiving from strangers who were touched by their traditional nuptials and this cute photo with their pooch Adam
The grooms wore sage linen kurtas from the designer Anita Dongre, with floral patterns inspired by the lush gardens of Rajasthan’s palaces
For their big July 19 celebration, they chose the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey, known for its impressive architecture and intricate marble carvings.
The grooms wore sage linen kurtas from the designer Anita Dongre, with floral patterns inspired by the lush gardens of Rajasthan’s palaces.
‘It was a simply ceremony only with our friends and family. We did a puja, garland exchange and pheras,’ Madiraju told Vogue India.
The next day, the newlyweds had a sangeet-style cocktail party at Pondicheri NYC, where they wore matching custom sherwanis and black and trousers by Andaz Design and Louboutin shoes.
The Hindu faith has no central authority regarding the LGBTQ community, with opinions largely varying between different temples.
But according to the Human Rights Campaign, ‘some Hindu communities continue to be unwelcoming of LGBTQ people, often reflecting attitudes imported from conquering nations, such as the British Empire in India.’
The couple referenced how groundbreaking it was to not only marry each other in a Hindu temple but also celebrate the moment in photographs online.
‘It was such a big moment in our lives, and the photos capture our feelings to perfection,’ they told the publication about the viral pictures. ‘It might also be because the wedding took place in a Hindu temple, and that hasn’t been seen by the world with same-sex marriages.’
‘After we got married at city hall, we knew we wanted something more traditional with our families and friends involved,’ Madiraju said
‘It was such a big moment in our lives, and the photos capture our feelings to perfection,’ the newlyweds said
‘We didn’t realize the impact a simple wedding at a temple would have on people around the world looking for hope,’ the couple wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post
Heartfelt messages poured onto the multiple posts shared on both Madiraju and Shah’s Instagram pages.
‘Love always wins! Congratulations to you both and wishing you a lifetime of happiness together,’ one commenter wrote.
Another person wrote: ‘That’s such a beautiful picture. Loads of love from a stranger!’
The couple loved the responses they were receiving from strangers who were touched by their traditional nuptials at the Hindu temple.
‘The response has given a whole new meaning to our marriage, and we are excited about the social changes this will help make,’ they said.
The day after the temple wedding, the newlyweds had a sangeet-style cocktail party at Pondicheri NYC, where they wore matching custom sherwanis and black and trousers by Andaz Design and Louboutin shoes
They were photographed on the streets of New York wearing sherwanis and kurta by New York-based Indian fashion design and consultation company, Andaz Design
They wrapped up their celebrations at Pondicheri NYC, a stylish industrial chic all-day café serving Indian cuisine
India has made strides in recent years to support the LGBTQ community, but same-sex marriage is still not legal in the country. But it does not prohibit same-sex marriages.
‘We didn’t realize the impact a simple wedding at a temple would have on people around the world looking for hope,’ the couple wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post.
‘There is no secret to acceptance, tolerance, or happiness. You just have to find the right partner to take the step with. Let the truth of your love speak for itself.’
Shah is a choreographer who dancing to the tunes of dandiya beats and also Bollywood tracks. He also founded the award-winning dance company Aatma Performing Arts with footprints in New Jersey, New York and Los Angeles.
Love: The couple met three years ago at a party. ‘Although we have completely different personalities, thanks to our similar interests we hit it off instantly,’ Shah said (seen in Instagram photo)
Making it official: They have dated ever since and decided to officially marry at city hall in New York City (Instagram photo)
Celebration: The couple, who both practice Hinduism, decided to get married in a Hindu temple near where they live together in New Jersey (Instagram photo)