Wedding seasons in Jejuri, home to the fort shrine of Khandoba in Pune district, can be overwhelming. In the sweltering heat of the afternoon sun, stall owners hawk everything from devotional paraphernalia to cheap toys, televisions blare devotional songs—cacophony that is expected of any religious place. But Jejuri has its own quaint tradition. Every year, in the months of April to June, a steady stream of newly-married couples visits the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Khandoba, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Grooms have a daunting ritual awaiting them at the steps of the temple—they are supposed to lift their brides up the 450 stairs that lead up to the sanctum.

Hundreds of giggly couples gather at the temple steps, egging the coy grooms to lift their equally shy brides. What helps their cause is that, like all things traditional, this one too has been tweaked to suit changing times and habits. The grooms needn't carry their wives the full 450 stairs—only five stairs as a token, the rest of the journey is subject to their choice.

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