Pune: Hindu and Muslim Families Celebrate Weddings Together After Rain Disrupts Ceremony
Wanowrie, 22nd May 2025: A sudden downpour turned into a moment of shared joy and communal harmony at Alankaran Lawns near the SRPF grounds in Wanowrie on Tuesday evening, as two families from different faiths came together to celebrate their children’s weddings on the same stage.
As the Hindu wedding of Sankruti Kawade and Narendra Galande was about to begin at 6:56 pm, rain lashed the open venue, throwing preparations into disarray. Guests scattered for shelter, and the family scrambled to protect decorations and arrangements.
Just next door, in a covered hall, a Walima (Muslim wedding reception) was being held for Mohsin, son of retired police officer Faruk Kazi, and his bride Maheen. Seeing the disruption, the Kazi family didn’t hesitate when approached by the Kawades.
“We requested to use their covered space for the Saptapadi ceremony,” said Advocate Nilesh Shinde, a friend of the Kawade family. “They not only agreed instantly but also helped us set up and welcomed us warmly.”
The Muslim hosts paused their own celebration, vacated the stage, and assisted in the quick rearrangement for the Hindu wedding ceremony. Both weddings were conducted respectfully, one after the other.
“I’ve never witnessed something so touching,” said Santaram Kawade, the bride’s grandfather. “We had planned this day for months, and though the rain disrupted it, the kindness we received will stay with us forever.”
Chetan Kawade, the bride’s father, added, “This wasn’t just an act of generosity—it was a symbol of the unity that lives in the hearts of people. Two weddings, two faiths, one celebration.”
Taking their hospitality a step further, the Kazi family invited the Kawades to join them for dinner and shared space for their catering as well. The evening evolved into a joint celebration that lasted late into the night.
“I could see the stress on their faces,” said Faruk Kazi. “As a father myself, I knew how important this day was for them. Helping them felt like the most natural thing to do. In that moment, she felt like my own daughter.”
The image of two newlywed couples—one Hindu, one Muslim—smiling on the same stage became a powerful symbol of interfaith unity. Guests from both sides applauded the unplanned but heartening union.
“This is the true spirit of India,” said members of both families.
