We said NO to ‘Kanyadaan’ and ‘Bidaai': Dia Mirza

Bollywood actor Dia Mirza took to Instagram to talk about her recent wedding and the choices she made to align the ceremony to her personal beliefs and principles. The actor married businessman Vaibhav Rekhi on February 15 in a quaint ceremony that saw many pleasant deviations from the traditional wedding norms.

She explained that the couple decided to  forgo the traditional rituals of Kanyadaan and Bidaai because they believed "change begins with choice." Kanyadaan is a ritual where the parent- traditionally a  father -- 'gives his daughter' away to her husband. Bidaai, on the other hand, marks the departure of the bride from her parents' home to her husband's. 

In another pleasant deviation, Dia's Vedic wedding ceremony was conducted by a woman priest, Sheela.

Taking to Instagram Dia wrote, " The garden where I have spent every morning for the past 19 years was an absolutely magical setting and the most intimate and perfect space for our simple and soulful ceremony! We are so proud to have been able to organise a completely sustainable ceremony without plastics or any waste. The materials used for the minimal decor we went for were completely biodegradable and natural.
The highest point for us was the Vedic ceremony conducted by a woman priest! I had never seen a woman performing a wedding ceremony until I attended my childhood friend Ananya’s wedding a few years ago. Ananya’s wedding gift to Vaibhav and me was to bring Sheela Atta who is her aunt and also a priestess, to perform the ceremony for us. She also painstakingly went through several hours of training to imbibe the essence of the scriptures so that she could assist Sheela Atta and translate the shlokas! It was such a privilege and a joy to be married this way! We do hope with all our heart that many more couples make this choice. For it is a woman's soul that contains love, wonder, benediction, magical energy, tenderness and deep empathy for all that lives. It is time for women to own their own agency, their divinity, their power and to redefine what is old and birth what is new. As Charles Bukowski said, "there is no lie in their fire." So what can be more uplifting and empowering than to see the sacred fire within a woman's heart and soul taking centre stage at a wedding? I am still overwhelmed by the magic of this one moment.

Also, we said NO to ‘Kanyadaan’ and ‘Bidaai’ change begins with choice doesn’t it?

#GenerationEquality #SunsetkeDiVaNe #ThankYouPreeta"

Take a look at the post here:

In another post she wrote: " Love is a full-circle that we call home. And what a miracle it is to hear its knock, open the door and be found by it. Sharing this moment of completion and joy with you..my extended family. May all puzzles find their missing pieces, may all hearts heal and may the miracle of love continue to unfold all around us ❤️???????? #ThankYouPreeta #SunsetKeDiVaNeove is a full-circle that we call home. And what a miracle it is to hear its knock, open the door and be found by it. Sharing this moment of completion and joy with you..my extended family. May all puzzles find their missing pieces, may all hearts heal and may the miracle of love continue to unfold all around us ❤️???????? #ThankYouPreeta #SunsetKeDiVaNe"