![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCUA6XCE3BAWDEHFLTPU5SQVLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f78a876a5e7104c2ba8e1f4e9151412f7686cef5fb1fd878139892c37b950987&width=400&height=225)
The couple laying bricks at Baps Mandir before it opened. Photo: Kanjani Family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7AV46QNSCNBILAG3DCS6L6TR5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=e127096ba66b765250a252539fca1c2edd35908ec6f6a995afb6fb5cfdcc7510&width=400&height=225)
Newly-weds Harsh and Kanchan Kanjani became the first couple to get married at the Baps Hindu Mandir. All photos: Kanjani family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UWQZIZQKGRGT3CS3ANZ4J2PKIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=41a6883a8092082f0392a094c5779d19f8daca89cf2864d55954966faa598481&width=400&height=225)
They will also be the only couple permitted to exchange garlands at the top of the temple's main stairwell
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B36IFPDNRRE7PDDMEE3K53RSGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f05762cd22dc6ce048d4847cf13a3a4049c14402cc1f341c548a89669e0799c&width=400&height=225)
The couple are all smiles as they acknowledge their 750 guests after the varmala ceremony
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7FWBMYS6RG73PPJHMKSSCGXZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=155c4b367f93578a0e0f3451e3145beebd4516c6012a6ea453325f772dce0c26&width=400&height=225)
The mandap in the banquet hall was decked out with a canopy of green flowers, plus white and gold decor
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RVWPETWSERCFPPLW57457R4XUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0aad3b38e0417125502982939241c0b871f2f6e5f8a913d055d218179bd59cb&width=400&height=225)
Guests bless the newly-weds after their pheras
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TSYDEYXPAFAJJLLHJXKDIRTKBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=adec8e2b8acb9a2cce4fb894f3d485015964d426ea3252a7363acdcffc30c017&width=400&height=225)
The bride wore a red legenga, and the groom wore a light pink sherwani and a bejewelled turban
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP6TE2D6J5BPLL23OD26DNSAMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e0bf36c985e8997e7cefc2fa027781c6341e3db17dc762510eda6eeaa66fbb6&width=400&height=225)
The groom lives in Jumeirah Park in Dubai and runs the family's steel business
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TMCJCOJXO5HBVJGGYI2Q3XFI5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=75e3f884d806e6bcbc4eee3276094c6c17d987474f01f74b25f4daa1745de4e4&width=400&height=225)
The temple site when the couple first visited in October 2023. Photo: Kanjani Family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCUA6XCE3BAWDEHFLTPU5SQVLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f78a876a5e7104c2ba8e1f4e9151412f7686cef5fb1fd878139892c37b950987&width=400&height=225)
The couple laying bricks at Baps Mandir before it opened. Photo: Kanjani Family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7AV46QNSCNBILAG3DCS6L6TR5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=e127096ba66b765250a252539fca1c2edd35908ec6f6a995afb6fb5cfdcc7510&width=400&height=225)
Newly-weds Harsh and Kanchan Kanjani became the first couple to get married at the Baps Hindu Mandir. All photos: Kanjani family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UWQZIZQKGRGT3CS3ANZ4J2PKIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=41a6883a8092082f0392a094c5779d19f8daca89cf2864d55954966faa598481&width=400&height=225)
They will also be the only couple permitted to exchange garlands at the top of the temple's main stairwell
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B36IFPDNRRE7PDDMEE3K53RSGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f05762cd22dc6ce048d4847cf13a3a4049c14402cc1f341c548a89669e0799c&width=400&height=225)
The couple are all smiles as they acknowledge their 750 guests after the varmala ceremony
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7FWBMYS6RG73PPJHMKSSCGXZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=155c4b367f93578a0e0f3451e3145beebd4516c6012a6ea453325f772dce0c26&width=400&height=225)
The mandap in the banquet hall was decked out with a canopy of green flowers, plus white and gold decor
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RVWPETWSERCFPPLW57457R4XUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0aad3b38e0417125502982939241c0b871f2f6e5f8a913d055d218179bd59cb&width=400&height=225)
Guests bless the newly-weds after their pheras
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TSYDEYXPAFAJJLLHJXKDIRTKBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=adec8e2b8acb9a2cce4fb894f3d485015964d426ea3252a7363acdcffc30c017&width=400&height=225)
The bride wore a red legenga, and the groom wore a light pink sherwani and a bejewelled turban
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZP6TE2D6J5BPLL23OD26DNSAMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e0bf36c985e8997e7cefc2fa027781c6341e3db17dc762510eda6eeaa66fbb6&width=400&height=225)
The groom lives in Jumeirah Park in Dubai and runs the family's steel business
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TMCJCOJXO5HBVJGGYI2Q3XFI5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=75e3f884d806e6bcbc4eee3276094c6c17d987474f01f74b25f4daa1745de4e4&width=400&height=225)
The temple site when the couple first visited in October 2023. Photo: Kanjani Family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OCUA6XCE3BAWDEHFLTPU5SQVLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f78a876a5e7104c2ba8e1f4e9151412f7686cef5fb1fd878139892c37b950987&width=400&height=225)
The couple laying bricks at Baps Mandir before it opened. Photo: Kanjani Family
Inside the first Indian wedding held at Baps Mandir
Dubai resident Harsh Kanjani and his bride took a leap of faith and pushed their nuptials back by months to get married at temple
![Panna Munyal](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F06bc983d-10c7-433f-960a-1e9f892c4c24.png?smart=true&auth=3257c870e2e2c7661a245c0f4c9b3cadc5d2d951b708186dcf323bfa54659374&width=70&height=70)
Panna Munyal
08 March, 2024
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