When Harsh Kanjani first visited the Baps Hindu Mandir in October, the temple was little more than a construction site. Originally due to marry in November, he and his bride-to-be decided to push their wedding back by several months.
Picking a date to tie the knot at a venue under construction was a leap of faith, but it worked out in the end. Harsh and Kanchan Kanjani (nee Raisinghani) became the first couple to marry in the temple on March 2.
“We were apprehensive at first, as the mandir was only meant to open to the public on March 1, but it all worked out beautifully and for the best,” says Harsh.
Kanchan, who was born and raised in Chennai, explains that while the couple's outfits – a light pink sherwani for him and a red-on-red lehenga for her – were ready in time, the Abu Dhabi venue itself was up in the air.
Eventually, though, the couple became the first to marry in the mandir. They will also be the only couple ever allowed to exchange garlands (the all-important varmala ceremony in Hindu weddings) on top of the temple’s flight of stairs.
Harsh explains: “While the organising committee at the temple initially agreed to this, the main swami declared it could not be done, it was not permitted. However, as they had already promised us, they followed through.”
It was no easy feat, either. “We were told to place our feet carefully on the small stage built right at the top, so we would not lose our balance or topple the platform, while our family and friends had to stand at the base of the stairs,” says Kanchan.
Harsh adds: “But the vibes were so positive, I could not stop smiling the whole time – and not just because it was my wedding day!”
Temple run
The Kanjanis, both 31, originally planned to get married in India. “We travelled everywhere from Mumbai and Chennai to Jaipur – and even went to Sri Lanka – but could not find a hotel we were happy with,” recalls Harsh, who is part of his family’s steel business.
“Then my mum happened to randomly WhatsApp the number listed on the temple’s website. Three days later, she got a response: ‘We would be very happy for your son's to be the first wedding here. Please come meet us.’
“That day itself I left work early and took my parents to the temple’s office site. Kanchan and I both felt it was a big risk to wait until March in case of delays to the inauguration and opening, but my parents were convinced it was the right choice,” says Harsh. “Full credit to them for making this happen.”
D-Day delights
The two-day wedding festivities kicked off on March 2, with a henna and haldi ceremony in the day and a musical evening, or sangeet, at night at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi.
On D-Day, the couple – and hundreds of guests – ate lunch at the temple followed by the wedding procession or baraat. Typically, it is the groom’s family that takes the baarat to the bride’s home, complete with music, drummers and dancing.
However, the Kanjanis decided to do it differently, with Kanchan joining Harsh in the flower-bedecked baraat car, and both sides of the family danced their way from the entrance to the main complex of the temple.
The varmala ceremony on the stairwell followed, after which the groom was directed to the sprawling banquet hall that is part of the temple complex. “The hall can accommodate more than 2,000 people, so it looked almost empty even though we had 750 guests,” says Kanchan.
Harsh waited for his bride to join him in the mandap, a section where the couple and their immediate family sit down for a prayer ceremony to take their wedding vows and their pheras around a small fire. Kanchan entered the arena under a sheet-like canopy of flowers held up over her head by four male members of her family before taking her place beside him.
Indian classical singer Ankit Batra was enlisted to provide musical entertainment, and he even translated the vows and religious hymns recited by the pandit into English. “My brief for the pheras was simple: make it quick and interesting for everyone,” says Harsh, reflecting the shifting mentality among young Indian couples who opt for shorter, more relatable wedding ceremonies.
Surreal surprise
By the time the pheras ended, it was 6.30pm and temple complex was aglow with soft fairy lights, which Kanchan says offers some of its best views.
Instead of heading back to the hotel for the evening’s festivities, however, the wedding party was told a special surprise had been organised for them by the temple’s head swami.
It was surreal, recall the couple. “The temple has an amphitheatre on one end, and after we were married, all our guests were led here for a pre-arranged 10-minute aarti, where the temple staff themselves blessed us,” says Kanchan.
Harsh adds: “Electric diyas were organised for family and friends, and two big diyas were handed to Kanchan and me. The whole arena was lit up and we prayed as one. It was truly special.”
The unexpected ceremony brought to mind the couple’s first surreal encounter at the temple. It was when they were checking out the incomplete site, and were invited to lay bricks that would be part of the actual facade.
“A special puja has been held for every single brick that makes up the temple,” explains Kanchan. “And the fact that we were given this opportunity, as well as being able to marry there as well … it's only just sinking in how lucky we are.”
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
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Tour de France
When: July 7-29
UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
