From Boston to Khajuraho to tie the knot

Saint and Julia became husband and wife Monday in a temple in Khajuraho, the renowned heritage town in Madhya Pradesh whose world famous temples were built over 200 years in 950-1150 A.D. A

local priest chanted the Gayatri mantra and many of the town's people were on hand to greet the newly-weds.

The entire ceremony was in accordance with Hindu Vedic marriage rituals, as both Saint and Julia always wanted it to be.

Instead of saying "I do..", Saint and Julia chanted the mantra the priest recited to them.
The American couple took the "saat fere" (seven rounds) around the holy fire and Saint put sindoor on Julia's forehead.

The two had help from the town's people to make all the arrangements.
"India's culture is very fascinating. We had heard about the Indian marriage system and wanted our marriage to be this way," a beaming Julia said afterwards.

Jageshwar Shukla, the priest who solemnised the marriage, was also happy.
"Ninety percent of marriages conducted under Vedic system do not fail. I think that is why they chose it this way", said the priest.