Sri Sri Ravi Shankar blesses Medha and Stefan with flower petals as family and guests gather

Medha & StefanA wedding at the Art of Living ashram, Bangalore, blessed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Medha and Stefan met in the UK. Medha is a lawyer whose family is from Mumbai. Stefan is from Germany. They chose a destination wedding in Bangalore, and many of their friends who live abroad came for it.

The ceremony took place at the Art of Living International Center on Kanakapura Road, the ashram founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and he blessed the couple in person. The sangeet and the reception were held at The Bangalore Club. A few days before the sangeet, Stefan hurt his ankle. He danced anyway.

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A blessing from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

He blessed Medha and Stefan in person.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar smiles holding a microphone and a garland of pink lotus flowers
A person in a red and white kurta bends low to touch the feet of a man in white robes
Stefan in a magenta jacket faces Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in white robes as a woman holds a tray
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar places a garland on Stefan while Medha stands beside him
Black and white of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar raising his hand in blessing over Medha and Stefan
Medha and Stefan stand with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar surrounded by family with folded hands
Black and white of the couple standing among guests and family around Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Black and white of a man with folded hands looking toward Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the couple

The wedding at the Art of Living ashram

A monkey climbed onto the roof beams during the ceremony. It was taken as a very auspicious sign, a nod to Hanuman, and it is why so many guests in these photos are looking up and smiling.

Black and white of Medha laughing warmly in a gold headpiece, a blurred figure in front of her
Three musicians play wind and drum instruments on a striped mat during the ceremony
Medha sits on a carved chair in orange raising her arm in celebration
A man in cream lifts Medha toward Stefan, who laughs while holding his own jasmine garland
Stefan in a magenta embroidered jacket stands near Medha in an orange blouse beside a red drape at the mandap
A woman in an orange sari garlands a guest in a teal sari under hanging flower strings
Medha and Stefan bend low to touch the feet of an elder in a cream waistcoat under marigold garlands
A man in cream lifts Medha high to garland Stefan while guests laugh and clap around them
A monkey sits on the roof beams of the ceremony hall at the Art of Living ashram
Guests laugh and film on their phones as the ceremony begins
Medha and Stefan smile at each other wearing jasmine garlands under yellow and pink drapes
Medha and Stefan stand with a large group of family and a priest in white at the ceremony hall
A man in a red and white waistcoat and a woman in an orange sari sit in the audience
Guests from abroad and Indian guests sit together smiling at the ceremony
A woman in the foreground touches her face, seemingly in tears, as garlanded Medha and Stefan sit behind
Stefan in a magenta jacket smiles while holding white flower garlands beside a red curtain
Black and white of Stefan smiling as he holds white flower garlands
Black and white of Medha laughing with delight beside Stefan while a hand rests on her shoulder
Five seated guests in colorful silks watch the ceremony, two with folded hands
Guests seated in rows watch the ceremony, among them a man in a floral shirt
Two guests from abroad smile as they watch the ceremony, a man in blue and a woman in red
Black and white of Medha and Stefan touching foreheads in jasmine garlands, his face tilted toward hers
Medha looks up toward Stefan while holding flowers and a jasmine garland
Stefan reaches over Medha with a gesture of blessing while guests look on
A hand covers Medha's eyes as Stefan leans in smiling, both in jasmine garlands, guests standing behind
A couple of guests sit close together at the ceremony, the man in a navy jacket
Rows of guests in dark and bright clothes sit barefoot on a polished floor
A man in a navy kurta takes a photo with his phone as guests sit behind him
Medha laughs joyfully in an orange sari and gold necklace on a carved wooden chair
Medha and Stefan sit together in garlands as an older woman talks with them
Medha in orange looks down in thought wearing jasmine garlands and a nose ring
Black and white of Medha laughing as she looks up with a flower garland
A woman in a yellow sari with a red border sits beside a man in an orange kurta
Stefan's parents sit beside a priest with a microphone during the ceremony
Guests watch from their chairs as a family sits near the pots of the ceremony
The red cloth is lowered as Medha and Stefan face each other with garlands among guests
A woman presents a decorated tray to Medha and Stefan as they sit smiling
Medha looks emotional in garlands as Stefan sits beside her and women reach in to bless them
Stefan and Medha stand garlanded among joyful family and a man in a blue vest
Two women in blue saris whisper to each other among the audience
Black and white of the ceremony hall with seated guests and priests around decorated pots
A woman holds a phone to photograph the ceremony among guests sitting beside her
Stefan smiles broadly wearing a jasmine garland with grains of rice on his hair
Family members in bright saris and waistcoats gather around Medha and Stefan, applying marks
A woman in blue applies a mark on Medha's forehead while Stefan watches
Medha laughs and glows in an orange sari and jasmine garlands during the ritual
Medha sits in an orange sari on a carved chair beside decorated ceremonial pots
Black and white of Medha seated at the ceremony as guests sit on the floor behind her
Black and white of a man blowing a long brass horn at the ceremony
Medha and Stefan touch foreheads and smile as a photographer leans close
Medha and Stefan sit together smiling in garlands as family gathers around them
Medha and Stefan sit with folded hands as women in saris smile behind them
Medha smiles beside Stefan, who wipes his eye, as a priest and elders look on
A woman in orange and a man in a gold waistcoat sit among guests at the ceremony
A man in a red and gold jacket offers something to Stefan while a priest sits beside them
A woman in a red sari lights a lamp while Stefan sits behind the flowers
Black and white of Stefan's sister laughing among seated guests in saris with her hands clasped
Stefan with a yellow mark on his forehead looks thoughtfully ahead in a jasmine garland and pink shawl
Medha steps over banana leaves with red flowers while Stefan walks beside her in a walking boot
Stefan with a walking boot on one leg grins beside his mother as a priest and guests look on
Stefan sits in the front row beside his parents during the ceremony
Medha in an orange sari sits cross-legged performing a ritual with a plate and decorated pot
Stefan holds a flower garland beside a woman in teal and a man in cream before the ceremony
Black and white of Medha, eyes lowered and a gold headpiece, seen through a soft blur of foreground
Medha and Stefan walk around a lit sacred fire while guests watch from rows behind
Medha and Stefan sit side by side in garlands, both smiling and glowing
Medha in an orange blouse looks upward with a serious gaze between pink drapes and blurred yellow flowers
Stefan stands in a magenta embroidered jacket holding a garland of white jasmine flowers
Medha holds white flowers behind a red cloth held up by guests crowding close
Women in bright saris smile and watch under hanging flowers during the ceremony
Medha holds a jasmine garland behind a raised cloth screen while a priest speaks into a microphone
A smiling guest in a blue and white kurta sits close with a woman beside Medha and Stefan
Medha and Stefan perform a ritual with a priest beside the burning sacred fire
Black and white of Stefan and Medha in jasmine garlands laughing as guests and a man with glasses look on
Stefan and Medha exchange a coconut with hands joined, their jasmine garlands touching
Stefan and Medha sit surrounded by family and priests during a ritual with a coconut
An older man in a cream waistcoat bends to touch the feet of a woman in an orange sari
Black and white of Stefan smiling down at Medha, both in garlands, as she laughs and holds his hand
Black and white of a woman placing a garland on Medha as Stefan stands in a dark jacket
Black and white of Medha seated on a carved wooden chair with a white flower garland beside her
Medha and Stefan in jasmine garlands look down at their hands over bright yellow and red flowers
Medha and Stefan sit before a priest and guests, with a small brass dish before them
Medha and Stefan perform a ritual with a priest in white beside a brass dish
A man in red hands a coconut to women in saris during the ritual
Black and white of garlanded Medha and Stefan seated close, glancing at each other with a smile
Black and white of Medha seated near a lamp and steps, glancing back over her shoulder
Black and white of Medha seated on the floor looking down, her bangles and sari folds in the frame
Family crowd close around the garlanded couple as a man presses his palms together and others lean in
A woman in cream and a man in a red waistcoat bend toward Medha and Stefan
A woman in a red blouse bends in front of seated guests, with the couple behind
Medha and Stefan stand with elders and a priest in front of the sacred fire
Black and white of Medha and a woman beside her laughing while garlanded Stefan sits quietly
Black and white of Stefan in a jasmine garland looking down at his hands among blurred flowers and clay pots
Black and white of Medha and Stefan seated side by side in garlands as a guest leans in
Medha and Stefan in garlands join hands with a priest and two men standing under yellow and pink drapes
Medha and Stefan walk together toward the fire as guests stand behind them
Black and white of Medha and Stefan sitting with guests in saris behind them
A hand holds Medha's foot beside her red silk sari and a toe ring
Black and white of Medha and Stefan standing by a small fire as a priest and a man watch
Black and white of henna decorated hands holding jasmine garlands, bangles at the wrist
Black and white of henna decorated hands pressed together over white jasmine garlands
Medha's hand with a ring and henna is held among white garlands
Medha and Stefan hold hands wearing white garlands over orange silk and a magenta jacket
Stefan sits among guests behind ceremonial pots decorated with yellow flowers and mango leaves
Medha's henna-covered hands arrange a pot with flowers and mango leaves
Stefan stands on banana leaves in a walking boot as the red cloth hangs before him
Medha's foot in an orange silk sari rests on a banana leaf with turmeric and red flowers
A woman in an orange sari and a man in a cream waistcoat stand before the audience
A man in cream and Stefan stand with Medha under pink drapes at the ceremony hall

Friends and family arrive

Many of the guests had travelled from abroad. Stefan's father brought his own camera.

Stefan's father, Stefan, his sister and mother laugh and lean in together in front of bamboo
Black and white of Stefan's parents laughing together, she in a sari and he in a cream waistcoat
Medha in an orange blouse holds a plate of offerings while guests in bright clothes stand behind her
Two women playfully pinch Stefan's cheeks as he grins, with chairs in the garden behind
A man in a cream kurta and waistcoat stands in front of tall green plants and a brick wall
Stefan's father in a cream embroidered waistcoat, arms crossed, among green foliage
A woman in a teal sari and a man in a cream waistcoat pose together by a brick planter
Black and white of the two mothers hugging at the wedding
Black and white of Stefan holding a plate while a woman gently touches Medha's face
Medha in an orange sari and gold jewellery smiles while talking to a guest
Black and white of friends laughing, one woman wiping tears of joy as another laughs
A guest and a man in a cream waistcoat with a camera stand under tents at the venue
A woman holds a coconut and a drink while chatting with a woman in a green blouse
Black and white of guests in saris and suits gathered and smiling near white tents
Black and white of a woman covering her face with her hand, moved between two women
Black and white of two women in saris laughing together
Black and white of Stefan smiling sideways while a woman laughs with her hands on her face
Black and white of an older woman resting her head on a man in a suit
Black and white of women in saris chatting by a carved wooden door and railing
A woman in a red sari stands at a wooden railing with trees and the lake behind her
Black and white of guests holding phones and smiling as they watch the ceremony
Black and white of Stefan's sister in a sari smiling at her henna decorated hand as guests pass in front
Black and white of two women hugging closely on a paved path
Black and white of an older man in sunglasses leaning close to a smiling woman
Black and white of Stefan's sister and mother laughing together among tall bamboo
Guests stand with folded hands in a hall as a woman in green smiles toward the stage
Stefan's mother in a teal and gold sari in front of green leaves
A woman and a man in a magenta waistcoat stand together beneath yellow and white drapes
Stefan laughs beside Medha and two women in saris who chat and giggle in front of white tents
Women in green, orange and yellow saris laugh together on the path
Black and white of an older woman in a sari sitting with a gentle expression
Three young women smile and laugh together in front of pink and yellow drapes
A man in a white kurta and a woman in a pink lehenga pose together under trees
A woman in a blue stole and a man in a cream kurta smile under a tree
A man in a floral shirt and a woman in a pink dress hold each other in a garden
Black and white of friends smiling and sharing a moment during the ceremony
Black and white of smiling guests, one man in glasses sitting among laughing women
Black and white of a woman in a sari smiling softly as guests stand behind her
Family and elders sit close together, one older woman looking on with a quiet smile
Four women in bright silk saris smile in a group at the entrance of the venue
Three guests in formal and traditional clothes stand along a flower-petal path
Four guests pose among bamboo, one man in a cream kurta and one in magenta
Black and white of a woman and a man smiling as they look toward the ceremony
Black and white of an elder and the couple in conversation during the ceremony
Stefan's father crouches with his own camera to photograph the ceremony
Black and white of a grey-haired woman smiling as a man photographs the ceremony
A woman in an orange sari places an offering near a Ganesha statue beside a welcome board
Stefan in a magenta jacket stands with four women in bright silk saris
Four women in yellow and cream traditional clothes pose in front of flower strings
Black and white of Stefan's father lifting his camera toward the couple
Black and white of two men embracing warmly under a thatched roof
A man in a brown vest holds a necklace while family and children sit around him
Black and white of a man in a white jacket speaking with Medha and Stefan in white garlands
Black and white of friends gather on a deck in front of hanging flower strings
An older woman in teal and a woman in orange laugh as one points in conversation
Black and white of a man in white with folded hands among guests
A man in white robes with a long beard and lotus garland smiles among guests

The Art of Living International Center

The center opened in 1986 on Kanakapura Road, outside Bangalore. Its best known building is the Vishalakshi Mantap, a five-tier meditation hall with a white marble floor, shaped like a lotus. Medha and Stefan married on the ashram grounds, with their families and friends around them.

Portraits after the ceremony

Black and white of Medha and Stefan laughing together in garlands on the deck
Black and white of a man and a woman laughing together in a garden
Black and white of a man and a woman hug on a deck in front of hanging flowers
Medha smiles softly in an orange blouse, gold headpiece and necklace, framed against curtains
Black and white of Stefan in a white shawl beside a woman raising her arm on the deck
Medha and Stefan wearing flower garlands pose smiling at a wooden rail with hanging pink flower strings
Black and white of Medha in a garland smiling up at Stefan beside a lakeside railing
Black and white of Medha laughing with her head tilted, her gold headpiece catching the light
Black and white of friends embracing and playfully hugging among hanging flowers
A man in a golden shawl and a woman in a red sari hug beside a lake
Medha laughs with her arms folded on a rail in front of banana leaves
Stefan in a magenta kurta rests a hand on a balcony rail near banana leaves and a blue building
Close portrait of Stefan grinning in a magenta kurta against bright green leaves
Medha in an orange sari smiles over a wooden rail against large banana leaves and a blue wall
Black and white of Medha smiling down at something small held between her fingers
Black and white of friends in saris and kurtas laugh together beside Stefan
Black and white of Stefan smiling off to one side on a wooden balcony in his embroidered jacket
Black and white of Medha in a pale sari with layered necklaces laughing as she looks down at her hands
Medha leans on a balcony rail in an orange silk sari with a gold headpiece, smiling at the camera
Medha in an orange sari smiles at the camera under green tree branches on a balcony
Stefan's sister stands in a royal blue sari with a gold border by a carved log bench in a garden
Black and white of Medha and Stefan smiling at each other on a balcony with leaf shadow overhead
Stefan leans on a balcony rail in a magenta kurta looking away past banana leaves
Black and white of Medha laughing as Stefan looks down at her and holds her hand
Stefan's sister in a blue and gold sari smiles at the camera beneath a large tree trunk
Stefan's sister sits on a carved log bench in a blue sari with her hands in her lap
Seven friends in colorful traditional clothes pose in front of hanging flowers
Stefan kisses Medha's cheek as she smiles toward the camera on a balcony
Medha and Stefan pose in garlands in front of hanging pink and white flowers on the deck
A woman in a yellow and red sari smiles in front of hanging flowers
Medha and Stefan share fresh coconut water through straws among green foliage
Black and white of a woman in a headpiece and dark sari smiling warmly
A woman in a blue sari stands with a hand on her hip on a wooden deck
Stefan stands on a wooden balcony in a magenta kurta and cream trousers with green trees behind him
Black and white of Stefan's sister tucking her hair behind her ear, henna on her hand, eyes cast down
Three women in blue and green traditional clothes pose in front of a flower backdrop
A man in blue and two friends in blue and navy pose in front of hanging flowers
A man in a blue kurta and a woman in a blue skirt stand on a deck above a lake
Three friends in pink and blue saris and cream pose with arms around each other
A woman in a blue skirt looks across a lake while standing on a wooden deck
Five friends pose together in front of a flower backdrop
A woman in a peach gown and a man in a black suit pose at a lake railing
Two women in blue and yellow saris pose together in a warm wooden hall

Before the ceremony

Medha laughs with her head tilted back in an orange sari with gold necklaces and flowers
Black and white of a masked makeup artist applying lipstick to Medha, who wears a headpiece and earrings
Medha in an orange blouse and gold headpiece looks calmly ahead while a guest photographs her with a phone
Medha and Stefan touch foreheads on a balcony, she in orange and he in magenta
A makeup artist applies kohl to Medha's eye as she holds a small mirror in a warm room
Black and white of Stefan relaxed in an armchair in an embroidered jacket, smiling at the camera
Black and white profile of Medha in a headpiece against a tall curtain
Stefan's father in a cream waistcoat straightens the shoulder of Stefan's dark embroidered jacket by a window
Black and white of Medha laughing softly in a headpiece while a phone is held in front of her
Medha's two sisters laugh together in a dim doorway
Black and white of Stefan laughing with a woman in a black top among large leaves
Medha stands with folded hands on a wooden balcony in a full-length orange silk sari
Stefan in a magenta kurta lounges in an armchair by a window with one leg crossed
Medha's sister in a yellow sari smiles in a doorway of a wooden room
Black and white of Stefan and Medha holding hands and smiling at each other by a curtained window
Stefan smiles warmly in a magenta jacket, looking off to the side
Medha and Stefan smile at each other on the balcony, she in orange and he in magenta
Medha and Stefan hold hands face to face by curtains, he in magenta and she in orange
Stefan in a magenta jacket with his sister on a wooden balcony among banana leaves
Stefan leans on a white balcony railing in a magenta jacket under large banana leaves
Stefan stands with arms crossed against a cream wall beside a blue sofa and a framed picture
Black and white of Stefan and Medha talking closely, her braided hair with flowers turned toward him
Black and white profile of Medha with a gold headpiece and a hand raised to her lips
Stefan stands in a glowing doorway frame, seen as a warm silhouette in a dark room
Stefan holds a small gold piece near Medha as she smiles sideways at him by a curtain
Medha seen from behind in an orange silk sari with a long braid of flowers
Stefan in a magenta embroidered jacket stands on a staircase landing beside a warm wall lamp
Stefan looks down toward Medha, who stands in an orange sari with flowers in her hair
Black and white of Stefan under a harsh spotlight, adjusting the front of his embroidered jacket
Medha in an orange silk sari leans on a balcony railing with green banana leaves behind

The small things

Medha points to her hand, where the names Medha and Stefan are written into her henna
Close view of two cupped hands with intricate henna against an orange sari
Close view of Medha's braided hair covered in red and white flowers and gold ornaments
A mandap with hanging flower strings and yellow and pink drapes stands over rows of chairs
A backdrop of hanging pink and white flower strings stands above a wooden railing by a lake
A stone elephant stands on a path lined with yellow and pink flower petals
A lotus design made of pink and yellow flower petals lies on the ground
Three decorated oil lamps with yellow flower garlands sit on a ceremonial tray
A basket of red and pink flowers and garlands sits on a red cloth
A pink and white decorated pot between two white pots, framed by yellow flowers
Close view of a white jasmine garland held in a henna-covered hand
A brass plate of red petals and turmeric is held out by a hand
A square sacred fire pit holds stacked wooden sticks and marigolds
A wooden pavilion with a tiled roof and pink and yellow drapes stands among trees at the ashram
White tents with pink and yellow drapes shade seating on a brick paved courtyard
A painted floral coaster rests on a woven stool with a pair of sticks
Baskets of white jasmine flowers sit on a yellow cloth table
Gold chairs with pink fabric bows stand in rows at the ceremony hall
A white tent with pink and yellow drapes stands on a paved yard
Two coconuts with sacred threads rest on a bed of rice in a brass tray
A banana leaf with a line of red flowers and turmeric lies on the floor
Medha and Stefan hold flower petals and smile as a priest in white speaks with them
Ceremony
Art of Living International Center (the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ashram), Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
Blessing
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in person
Couple
Medha, whose family is from Mumbai, and Stefan, from Germany. They met in the UK
Sangeet and reception
The Bangalore Club, Bangalore, after the wedding. The mehendi was the day before

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