the immortal of maluha
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CHAPTER 19<br />
Love Realised<br />
There was an air <strong>of</strong> celebration in Devagiri when <strong>the</strong> royal caravan arrived three weeks<br />
later. Kanakhala, who had arrived in Devagiri earlier, ensured that all <strong>the</strong> preparations for <strong>the</strong><br />
most-eagerly awaited wedding in a millennium had been accomplished. Her arrangements, as<br />
always, had been impeccable.<br />
The various wedding ceremonies and celebrations had been spread over seven days, each<br />
day with an exuberant variety <strong>of</strong> events. By <strong>the</strong> usually sober Suryavanshi standards, <strong>the</strong> city<br />
had been decorated extravagantly. Colourful banners hung proudly from <strong>the</strong> city walls,<br />
splashing festive beauty on <strong>the</strong> sober grey exteriors. The roads had been freshly tiled in <strong>the</strong><br />
sacred blue colour. All <strong>the</strong> restaurants and shops served <strong>the</strong>ir customers free <strong>of</strong> charge for <strong>the</strong><br />
seven days <strong>of</strong> revelry, subsidised at state expense. All <strong>the</strong> buildings had been freshly painted at<br />
government cost to make Devagiri appear like a city that had settled <strong>the</strong> previous day.<br />
A massive channel had been rapidly dug along <strong>the</strong> far side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Saraswati where a part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> river had been diverted. The channel was in <strong>the</strong> open in some parts and went underground<br />
in o<strong>the</strong>rs. Filters injected a red dye into <strong>the</strong> water as soon as it entered <strong>the</strong> channel and<br />
removed it just as efficiently when <strong>the</strong> water flowed back into <strong>the</strong> river. The channel formed a<br />
giant Swastika, an ancient symbol which literally translates to ‘that which is associated with<br />
well-being’ or very simply, a lucky charm. From any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three city platforms, a Meluhan could<br />
look in reverence at <strong>the</strong> enormous impression <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> revered Swastika in <strong>the</strong> royal red<br />
Suryavanshi colour formed by <strong>the</strong> flow <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> holy Saraswati. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> protective giant<br />
spikes around <strong>the</strong> entry drawbridges <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three platforms had been cleared. In <strong>the</strong>ir stead,<br />
giant rangolis, visible from miles away, had been drawn to welcome all into <strong>the</strong> capital.<br />
Kanakhala had wanted to clear all <strong>the</strong> spikes surrounding Devagiri, but Parvateshwar had<br />
vetoed it, citing security reasons.<br />
Elite families from across <strong>the</strong> empire had been invited to attend <strong>the</strong> festivities. People <strong>of</strong><br />
distinction ranging from governors to scientists, generals to artists and even sanyasis had<br />
trooped into Devagiri to celebrate <strong>the</strong> momentous occasion. Ambassadors <strong>of</strong> eminent<br />
countries, such as Mesopotamia and Egypt, had been given permits for a rare visit to <strong>the</strong><br />
capital <strong>of</strong> Meluha. Jhooleshwar had cannily used <strong>the</strong> distinctive honour granted to ambassadors<br />
to wrangle some additional trade quotas. Brahaspati had come down from Mount Mandar with<br />
his retinue. Only a skeletal security staff <strong>of</strong> Arishtanemi soldiers had been left behind at <strong>the</strong><br />
mountain. It was <strong>the</strong> first time in history that seven days would elapse at Mount Mandar without<br />
any experiments!<br />
The first day had two pujas organised in <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> Lord Indra and Lord Agni. They were<br />
<strong>the</strong> main gods for <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> India and <strong>the</strong>ir blessings were sought before any event. And an<br />
event as momentous as <strong>the</strong> wedding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> millennium could only begin with <strong>the</strong>ir sanction. This