Indian wedlock for this Russian couple

MANGALORE: Bonding over their devotion to Lord Ganesha, a Russian couple sealed their relationship by entering into a wedlock organised in traditional south-Indian style at a remote temple in Belthangady taluk on Sunday.Alex Zalenin (39) and Polina Cornico (31) from Moscow tied the knot according to Hindu marriage customs at Indabettu Devanari Ardhanarishwara temple.  The groom’s friend, Prasad Rao of Dev Art and Management, had arranged the marriage at the Indabettu temple to make the experience more realistic and authentic. Alex is a financial manager at PepsiCo in Moscow.He had read a lot on Lord Ganesha and had been captivated by his aura. Thus he had come to India in order to become a devotee of Lord Ganesha. “I feel blessed for Lord Ganesha has fulfilled my wish to get married according to Hindu customs,” he said. He had first registered his marriage with Polina, who is an animation professional, in Moscow on November 11.The Russian couple had no qualms in wearing the heavy attire and having to undergo hour long rituals. Chief priest of the temple Ananda Bhat supervised the rituals. The couple offered Nagatambila (offering to the serpent deity), Satyanarayana Puja and Ganahoma (sacred poojas conducted to pray for happiness).