Amidst colourful pagdis, traditional poshaks and royal families of south and central India in attendance, Shivani Raje of Dhar royal family and Rithvik Shelke of Mysore royalty tied the knot to forge a new alliance between the families. The nuptials which began on Tuesday with Mehendi and Haldi ceremonies, was solemnised yesterday in a private affair at a city based hotel. There were about 200 guests in attendance when the Mangalashtak was carried out in traditional Maratha way. Fathers of the bride and groom Bahadur Diwan Sangram Singh Raje Pawar and Rajya Tilak Sena Gopishyam Rao Shelke made this historic alliance between the two royal families after nearly 600 years of friendship of the dynasties.Bride Shivani Raje, who was donning a traditional paithani saree and maharashtrian jewellery was nervous yet excited to begin her new life. “I’m slightly nervous about moving to Sydney, as being the only child I was quite pampered here. Yet, I’m excited to begin the new chapter in my life”. On the other hand dulhe raja Rithvik Shelke, who has an IT venture in Sydney was seen enjoying the Malwi hospitality. “It’s all very new for me, as I shy away from limelight generally. Since a week I have been savouring the local delicacies like chhole tikka, bhutte ka kees and kachoris, which is a pleasant change and the hospitality has been exceptional” says Rithvik carrying a heritage dagger and dressed in dapper sherwani. Nearly two dozen royalties of central and south India have gathered at Indore for taking part in this wedding ceremony that is also going to create a new chapter in the history of the two dynasties. Father of the bride Diwan Sangram Singh Raje states, “It’s a new chapter for Indian history. We are looking forward to great start of relationship based on this matrimonial alliance”.Himmat Bahadur Srimant Jitendra Singh Gaikwad of Baroda, who was a common relative of both the families explained how the idea of this alliance came to be. “It is very important to note that though it is a Maratha wedding only, but the Wadiyars of South and Pawars of Central India have now started a new line with this marriage. The friendship was forged about 620 years ago. A few years ago, a similar alliance was sought between Gaikwads and Wadiyars, which didn’t work out then. However, it incepted an idea and new trend of forging alliance with the south royals by extending matrimonial alliance.”Following the Marathi wedding rituals, a grand reception was held in the evening for esteemed guests.

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