Love knows no borders—a sentiment proven true once again. A story that started with a chance meeting in Dubai three years ago culminated in marriage on Tuesday at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Ranibagh, Haldwani.
Naveen Parihar (also known as Nabbu) from Bageshwar married Moraya, who hails from Thailand, following traditional Kumaoni customs. Notably, the foreign bride embraced both the traditional attire of Uttarakhand and its wedding rituals with great enthusiasm.
Dressed as a Kumaoni bride, Moraya appeared at the Sheetla Mata Temple on the day of Dussehra. Adorned with a *mukut* (headgear) on her head, a traditional *nath* (nose ring), a *maang tikka* on her forehead, and a *mangalsutra* around her neck, she performed the wedding rites alongside Naveen. Despite coming from a different country and culture, she showed a keen interest in understanding and observing Indian wedding traditions. As the Kumaoni rituals were new to her, an English translator assisted in explaining them; she then grasped each custom and participated with genuine zeal. On this special occasion, her brother and sister-in-law, who traveled from Thailand, also performed the *kanyadaan* (the ritual of giving away the bride) in accordance with Kumaoni tradition.
A meeting in Dubai: From friendship to love.
Naveen Parihar, a native of Udal village in the Bageshwar district, first met Moraya in Dubai about three years ago, where he had gone for work. As they continued to meet, their friendship gradually blossomed into love. After getting to know each other better and growing closer, the couple decided to spend their lives together.
Naveen completed his education up to the intermediate level in Bageshwar. Following this, he pursued a course in hotel management in Haldwani and later moved to Dubai for employment. His father, Puran Singh Parihar, is a retired officer from the Border Security Force (BSF).
**Haldwani Chosen as Wedding Venue for Family Convenience**
Naveen’s sister, Baby Dhapola, resides in the Devalchaur area of Haldwani. Haldwani was selected as the wedding venue to ensure convenience for the family. Naveen had been staying in Haldwani for the past three months. On Monday, pre-wedding rituals were performed at his sister’s home in Devalchaur. Subsequently, on Tuesday, a Kumaoni priest solemnized the marriage according to Vedic traditions.
Naveen’s father, Puran Singh Parihar, shared that his son wished to build a life with Moraya, and the family is happy with this union. Due to certain constraints, it was not feasible for the family to travel abroad; therefore, the decision was made to hold the wedding in Haldwani.
Following the wedding, on Wednesday, Naveen and Moraya—accompanied by their family—traveled to his ancestral village in Bageshwar. There, Moraya was introduced to the family and their cultural traditions.
**Five Weddings Held at the Temple on Vijayadashami**
Sachin Sah, president of the Sheetla Mata Temple Committee, stated that a total of five weddings took place at the temple on the occasion of Vijayadashami. Among these was a marriage between a young woman from Thailand and a man from Bageshwar. All the weddings were conducted in the presence of their respective families.
