Before the first guests gathered at the mandap, Palak Purswani and Rohan Khanna began their wedding day with a prayer at the Devi Temple within the Isha Yoga Centre. By 6 am, they were standing before the 112-ft Adiyogi statue in Coimbatore, with the Velliangiri mountains forming the backdrop to their wedding ceremony.
For the couple, the setting held a significance that went beyond its scale. Their first date had been at Siddhivinayak Temple, and spirituality had always been an important part of their relationship. “We wanted our wedding to be rooted in spirituality and personal meaning rather than following a conventional format,” said Purswani, an actor and lifestyle influencer. “From the very beginning, we envisioned a wedding that reflected our values and beliefs.”
The couple exchanged vows at daybreak beneath a gold-toned mandap inspired by timeless Indian temple architecture. Designed to complement the sanctity of the surroundings, the space was decorated with mogra, tuberose, rajnigandha, white roses and sacred bilva leaves. As Vedic chants filled the morning air, every ritual was explained to guests, allowing them to understand the meaning behind the traditions they were witnessing.
It honestly felt as though Lord Shiva himself was showering his blessings upon us
“The destination wasn’t just the backdrop of our wedding; it became the heart and soul of the entire experience,” said Khanna.
The ceremony also reflected the couple’s connection with the five elements of nature. The mountains, the open sky, the ceremonial fire and the unexpected rain all became part of the morning. Nature added its own touch to the celebrations. A rainbow appeared over the mountains, and just as the couple exchanged varmalas and walked back together as husband and wife, a gentle drizzle began.
“It honestly felt as though Lord Shiva himself was showering his blessings upon us,” said Purswani. “It wasn’t something we could have planned; it was simply a moment that unfolded on its own.”
The spiritual connection extended into the décor, with the mandap featuring symbols associated with Lord Shiva, including rudraksha beads and damru motifs.
These details reflected the traditions being honoured and the setting’s visual language. The Devika Wedding began the celebrations, leading into the main ceremony at Adiyogi, where the couple chose an intimate gathering with close family and friends.
The celebrations ended with a traditional South Indian breakfast. Guests gathered over freshly-made dosas, pongal and filter coffee, bringing the morning back to the simplicity of the land that had witnessed their union.
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