Inspired by the Vedas and the charm of ‘thali’ and ‘metti’, they came all the way from US to a small village in Pollachi to tie the nuptial knot. Valntine Salazar, working as funding coordinator with Stanford University, tied the knot with Britget Meyar on the premises of a nursery school in Sami Gavundanur village here on Saturday under Hindu tradition.
Valntine fell in love with Britget at the age of 13. While doing his undergraduate degree in developmental studies at Barkley University in California, Valntine became friendly with his classmate Nithya, who hailed from Tamil Nadu.
Valntine, who was always inspired by the customs of Tamil families residing in California, decided to marry Britget in Indian style with the help of Nithya.
When they reached India for the much anticipated ceremony, Nithya’s parents Geetha and Krishnan, running Rise Montessori Nursery and Primary School in Sami Gavundanur village of Thimmakunthu block near here, adopted Britget as bride and another couple, Krishnan and Jayanthi of Orakaliyur, adopted Valntine as bridegroom.
For the last two weeks, the couple were teaching computer courses at the school run by Nithya’s parents. Their marriage was solemnised on the school premises at 9.30 am on Saturday.
“I used to read about Indian history right from my childhood and was inspired by the Vedas and life philosophies here,” says Valntine. He says he was surprised to see the way in which every single member of the family was well taken care of. “I am very happy to tie the knot according to Hindu culture. I give importance and understand the need to protect ‘thali’ (sacred thread) and ‘metti’ (ring for toe),” he says. The couple loves to watch Indian movies like ‘Monsoon Wedding’ and ‘Lagaan’, which showcase marriage in Indian culture.
Valntine was clad in a white dhothi and Britget in maroon silk saree at the time of the function. Priest Chellappa Gurukkal Balakrishna Sastrigal performed the marriage ceremony reciting mantras from the Vedas.
The couple also visited a nearby Vinayagar temple in a bullock cart after the marriage.