When Randeep and I went to Manipur to get married, I took him to the Ibudhou Marjing Temple, dedicated to the Meitei deity of polo, horses, sports and war. His excitement and amusement resembled that of a child visiting a place for the first time," recalled actor Lin Laishram.
The visit held a special significance for Randeep Hooda. An accomplished equestrian and avid polo player, Hooda has long been associated with the sport, making a visit to the temple of the deity revered as the patron of polo an experience unlike any other. Manipur is widely regarded as the birthplace of modern polo, and introducing him to this important part of the state's sporting and cultural heritage became one of the most memorable moments of their wedding celebrations.
For Laishram—actor, model, theatre performer, entrepreneur and former national-level archery champion—there was no question about where she wanted to get married. Manipur wasn't simply her birthplace; it was where she wanted to honour her roots and share her culture with the man she loved.
The couple's story began over 15 years ago in a theatre group, where their friendship slowly blossomed into romance. When they finally tied the knot in November 2023, the wedding took place at Laishram's family home in Imphal, with every ceremony rooted in Meitei Hindu traditions.
"Since ours was an intercultural marriage, it was important to me that one of the ceremonies reflected my family's traditions," she said.
For the Luhongba, the principal wedding ceremony, Laishram wore a deep-red potloi—the distinctive barrel-shaped skirt worn by Meitei Hindu brides—paired with a bottle-green blouse, intricate gold jewellery and the traditional kajenglei headpiece. Hooda complemented her in a white kurta, dhoti and kokyet, the ceremonial Meitei turban. In Meitei culture, white symbolises purity and auspiciousness, making it the colour everyone except the bride is expected to wear.
What struck Hooda most, however, wasn't just the attire but the rituals themselves.
"Meitei Hindu weddings follow a much stricter and more systematic set of customs than Haryanvi weddings," Laishram said.
The moment when Hooda's kokyet was tied was memorable. He was entrusted to his bor-senaba—a helper, guide and tutor for the ceremony—who immediately instructed him not to move or even tilt his head. In Meitei tradition, the groom is regarded as a divine figure once the turban is worn, and remaining perfectly still is considered a mark of respect for that sacred status.
Wrapped in a blanket and seated in the mandap, Hooda remained in the same dignified position for hours while the priests chanted. An umbrella and a ceremonial bowl were kept next to him—symbolic provisions that meant he would not have to leave the mandap at any point during the rituals.
"My favourite memory from the wedding," said Laishram, "was watching him enjoy every moment with such intrigue and enthusiasm."
Another deeply personal moment followed when the couple exchanged fragrant kundo (jasmine) garlands. Unlike most wedding garlands, these had been handwoven by Laishram on the morning of the ceremony, making the exchange an intimate expression of their commitment to one another.
"While Randeep and his family were keen on experiencing my land and culture, I was nervous," she said. "But once everyone joined the ceremonies with open hearts, all my worries disappeared."
The wedding soon became more than a union of two people—it became a cultural exchange. With most of Hooda's relatives attending a Meitei wedding for the first time, Laishram's family made sure they experienced the very best of Manipur.
"We wanted everyone to return after experiencing our food and hospitality. So we made sure every ceremony featured a spread of Meitei cuisine." Looking back, there is little she would change. Today, as the mother of a four-month-old, those memories have taken on an even deeper meaning. "Every time I look at our wedding photographs, all the memories come rushing back. We can't wait for our child to know all about it too."
For Laishram and Hooda, Manipur will forever be more than a destination on a map.
The Wedding Coordinates
Pin Drop
Imphal, Manipur
The Clincher
A traditional Meitei wedding in the bride's hometown
Destination Advantage
Celebrating Laishram's heritage authentically while introducing family and friends to Manipur's rituals, cuisine and culture
Local Touch
Traditional Meitei delicacies served across every wedding ceremony
Main-Character Moment
Hooda being gently scolded by his bor-senaba for moving during the Luhongba ceremony
Take Us Back For
Imphal's beauty, Loktak Lake, authentic Meitei cuisine and the unmatched warmth of the Manipuri people
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