They went from mountains to the sea in search of blessings
Couple’s spiritual journey culminates in sealing their bond at an ashram
THE Maha Shivaratri festival on the beautiful island of Mauritius was a blessing for Terrence Omdutt Kommal, because it was there, at the foot of the statue of Lord Shiva, that he met his future wife, Urvashi Khedoo.
The Pretoria-based medical doctor was at the festival in February last year with his parents, Teddy and Sherita Kommal, when Mauritian accountant Urvashi approached them to ask about their camera.
Two days later, Urvashi and her dad gave the Kommals a tour of the island.
Urvashi and Terrence exchanged a few courteous e-mails in the months that followed, but only began exploring the possibility of a relationship in October. They officially began dating on New Year’s Eve.
The couple decided to have a spiritual wedding ceremony at Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram in Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, India, on April 27.
Two weeks before the wedding, Terrence and Urvashi had their hurdee ceremony in a hall near his family home on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. A vibrant Ram Bhajan group held the guests spellbound with its performance during the ritual.
The bridal party then travelled to India for the ceremony — attended by only 12 family members — and the couple performed the traditional north-Indian rituals there. Terrence said he and Urvashi were overjoyed to learn that Baba’s head priest would conduct the ceremony.
On the morning of the wedding, a band led Urvashi — who travelled by car — and Terrence — who walked with his and Urvashi’s family — to the Shiva Temple in Prasanthi village, where the marriage was solemnised.
Said Terrence: “I had never, ever dreamt that I would get married at the Sai ashram. When you are on the spiritual path, only then would any person understand what it is to be at your guru’s ashram during the most important time of your life.
“The simplicity of the whole wedding function was just great. We just did what was requested and the blessings that we received after the marriage from the devotees were fantastic.”
Terrence wore an offwhite brocade sherwani with golden embroidery and red velvet with crystal stones, and his bride wore a traditional red crepe silk sari with crystals and silver embroidery on green velvet.
The wedding party then took a spiritual journey to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in the small town of Katra, deep in the Himalayas. “Due to its location and the time of year, it can be very cold and challenging and helps devotees to focus on their journey,” said Terrence.
Various types of invitations were sent to the guests — members of the immediate family received theirs with a Mauritian shirt and dress, a silver tray and diya with sweets.
Once back in Durban, the couple held a reception for 350 guests at the Hellenic Community Hall in Riverside on May 24.
Before the reception, the guests were treated to starters and welcome drinks. Fireworks announced the arrival of the couple at the venue, which was decked out in cream, black and gold.
Urvashi, dressed in a bridal outfit with a red velvet border and a top of white silk and crystals, and her husband, who wore a tan jacket of raw silk with pearl accessories and gold pants, took their seats on a custom-built revolving stage in the centre of the hall.
After the formalities, the guests were treated to dinner, which included lamb curry, mutter chicken, butter paneer masala, broadbean curry, roti, rice, salad and pickles. Dessert consisted of soji topped with cream, and a variety of cakes served with tea and coffee.
The couple opened the dancing to the song Tum Hi Ho from the movie Aashiqui.
How he describes her: She is an amazing person with a quick wit and sharp mind, yet amazingly simple and humble. She is neither materialistic nor money driven, although she is an accountant.
How she describes him: He is a charismatic, ambitious and dynamic gentleman.