A Hindu Wedding: Local resident keeps traditions alive

Kavita Bay’s lifestyle is unique in a number of ways. She used to teach first grade in Alberton, but now she’s an entrepreneur and a beekeeper, and creates a number of products through her apiaries, including honey, lotions and lip balms. She lives in an obscure community west of Alberton called Rivulet and she remains highly active in her local community. Another unusual thing about Kavita, is that she’s Indian, and practices Hinduism.

She recently went to Charlotte, North Carolina, where her younger brother, Krishan Intwala, married Sonal in a traditional Hindu wedding. She traveled there with her two young children, Suji and Cy, and her husband, Justin. They were greeted by dozens of relatives, both young and old, to enjoy the festivities.

The oldest of three siblings, Kavita was born in the United States. Her folks came over in the 1960s from India. Her dad came over to attend college. Her mother moved here with her family because her dad got a job in the states.

Though the family moved across the ocean, they remain close to relatives. 

“Family is very important in India,” explained Bay. “There’s a deep connection between relatives and it’s not unusual to travel long distances to visit. We’ve traveled to London twice, and go back to India often.” 

She said that in India, it’s a much more communal way of living than is typical in the United States. 

“It’s not unusual for cousins, aunts, and uncles to all live together,” said Bay. “It’s also not unusual for a brother or sister to raise each other’s children.”

She also said that in India, there is not a word for “cousin,” Rather everyone, including extended family, are considered “brothers” and “sisters.” 

This type of family dynamic can be seen in important ceremonies like her brother’s wedding where dozens of relatives came together to help celebrate the couple’s new life together.

In true Hindu tradition, the wedding ceremony lasted four days. The days prior to the wedding were filled with ritual, prayer, dancing and games. The actually ceremony on the wedding day in an Indian wedding can last three hours or more, depending how the couple wants to celebrate. 

Elaborate saris, jewelry and mehndi, which is a type of body art, adorned the wedding party. 

The Hindu wedding rituals and ceremonies are more than fun and a family gathering. It’s a merging of families, and in the case of Kavita, like most Indian family, it’s a very extensive family.

“Because of our communal lifestyle, we preserve our family lineage. I know my relatives several generations back. We preserve our family history and hand it down to the next generation,” said Bay. 

When asked if her husband, Justin, was Hindu, she explained that you don’t join the Hindu religion. Rather, anyone can practice being a Hindu. It’s not as much a religion, as it is anyone who regards themselves as culturally, ethnically or religiously adhering with aspects of Hinduism.