ROYAL MATRIMONY

The wedding festivities for Prince Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur and Princess Gayatri Kumari of Askot, in Jodhpur, in the Great Indian Desert, lasted for a week—as Indian weddings famously can. The groom's family have been kings of Jodhpur since the early 1200s, and have worldwide visibility and respect. There were guests from five continents, including rock stars, royalty, and what is reported to be one of the largest gatherings of maharajas since India's independence, in 1947. Many have been coming to this magical, romantic place on the fringes of the India-Pakistan border for years. Colorfully turbaned Thakurs, the nobility of the 800-year-old kingdom of Marwar/Jodhpur, clutched gold swords with silk scarves, and ladies were dressed to impress in sumptuous wedding saris. The epic celebration began on the grounds of the Umaid Bhawan Palace—the Indian Art Deco extravaganza built by the current maharaja's grandfather, reputedly once the world's largest private house, and now one of India's most glamorous and expensive hotels. Folk musicians played sarangis and double flutes, and sang the history of the Jodhpur royal family, their battles won and lost in Afghanistan and India. The actual marriage took place in Jaipur on the lawns of the Rambagh Palace—a location chosen by the bride's family. The bridegroom's arrival in an open carriage, rows of maharajas in glorious brocade jamas and brilliant jewels rarely brought out, an elephant, and 1,400 notable guests all made for a glorious affair.

DAVID CAMPBELL