Kavita Tapu and Anju Sharma, a same-sex couple from Gurugram, recently celebrated their wedding despite India not recognizing such marriages. Their traditional Indian ceremony, complete with rituals such as henna, exchanged vows on April 24 at the Chhoti Panchayat Dharamshala. The event gained widespread attention after their wedding photos went viral on social media.
Turmeric, henna, and pheras: 2 women exchange vows in Gurugram, planning to start a family soon (Image credit: Instagram/kavitatappu)
Gurugram: A same-sex couple tied the knot in Gurugram in the Indian state of Haryana. Rituals like henna etc. were included in the wedding ceremony. It was the wedding of Kavita Tapu and Anju Sharma, although India does not legally recognize same-sex marriages. The wedding, which began with turmeric, continued late into the night with traditional rituals, culminating in their vows on April 24 at Chhoti Panchayat Dharamshala.
Their wedding photos have been widely shared on social media, making them the talk of the town. However, marriage was not as easy as it seemed. A few hours before the wedding, the priest backed out, saying he had been injured in an accident. According to Anju, the priest had already been informed by her that it was a same-sex marriage, The Times of India reported. However, a friend stepped in and convinced two other pastors to take over.
Kavita, a makeup artist from Fatehabad and Anju, an actress from Gurgaon met in 2020 while shooting for Anju's YouTube channel. The two hit it off soon after meeting in their late 30s. It was a little confusing at first, but they admitted their feelings and started living together. Anju said she was devastated after losing her nephew and mother in the same year. He recalled that it was Kavita who stood by him in difficult times. With Anju's mother accepting Kavita as her daughter-in-law, their family also gets involved.
However, Kavita's mother did not agree to the marriage but her father and brother supported her during the marriage. Their story has inspired other LGBTQ+ couples to speak up. Anju advises women in similar situations to talk openly with their parents and patiently seek their approval. Despite legal challenges in India, Kavita and Anju are also planning to start a family through adoption.