Happy Sunday! Hope you’re having a good weekend. Today I’m so excited to be sharing with you pics from my recent trip to Vadodara, India in the western state of Gujarat .
Thank you Pradhan Family 🙏🏻😘
I visited Vadodara in December for a few days to meet my daughter’s fiancé’s extended family; as in his Uncles, Aunts, Grandma, and cousins. The Pradhan families I met were the most wonderful, hospitable, loving, and caring family ever!! Words don’t do justice to what a fabulous time we had.
Truly I can’t say enough good things about what a phenomenal time I had while staying with them. What an honor it is to call these folks our extended family now!
Celebrating many milestones in December
As it turns out we happened to be visiting in December when the Pradhan family were celebrating many milestones. Vijay and Priya (fiancé’ Pranav’s parents) celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. While uncles and aunts Nanda and Ruta celebrated 30 years of nuptials, and uncle and aunty Shamal and Priya celebrated 21 years of marriage. All in December just a few days apart.
Pranav’s cousin Vishal was also getting married to his beautiful lady Vrunda in December. Their wedding had been postponed from the year before to December of 2021. As you can see a lot of weddings occur in December in India.
Wonderful family ❤️
With so many wonderful celebrations we all got to dine together at various restaurants and venues to make each and every milestone a special one. And I have to say that my daughter, Hitesh and I felt so much part of the family at every event, despite that we just met them couple days ago!
You can see how happy we are just from this impromptu photo taken by the Pradhan family at one of the dinners ❤️😃.
Dinner at Laxmi Villas Palace
This beautiful dinner at the Laxmi Villas Palace in Vadodara was to celebrate our first time visit to the city. So humbled by this gesture. Truly feel blessed 🙏🏻.
For more information on this beautiful palace take a look at this link Laxmi Villas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat
Pre-wedding reception for our daughter and her fiancé
My daughter is getting married this summer. And between the two families we have LOTS of relatives all over the world and especially in India. Since some folks cannot make it to California for the wedding Pranav’s parents hosted a pre-wedding reception in Vadodara and one in Mumbai. A beautiful evening of family, friends, and food.
Reception in Vadodara
Reception in Mumbai
I hope you enjoyed these pics of our fabulous albeit short visit to Vadodara and our stay with our wonderful hosts the Pradhan family.
So excited to reciprocate their hospitality when they visit us this summer in California!
Happy Weekend Everyone!
Dolly. truly said blessed to have a great extended family the Pradhan family. Both Sri and Pranav are truly fortunate to be associated with such lovely new families. We were fortunate to meet Pramav in July 2021 and he truly blended I’ so well .
They make a lovely couple and may their new journey ahead be amazing.
Hoping and praying we will all meet soon again.
Always looking forward to your blogs.
Absolutely Muni you said it just right, we are truly blessed to have met an extended family as loving as Pranav’s. I too hope that all goes well and we can see you this summer.
Dear Kalpana, I have been following your blog ever since my dearest Priya introduced me to it and love your descriptive writing accompanied by the most lovely pictures. I hope that you can also write a blog on your Delhi visit and the shopping (wedding and other) there. Its a mystery to all of us, and would love to read about all your observations and experiences.
Hello! So nice to meet you virtually! I am just reading your comment. I posted on my Delhi visit couple days ago, I think you must have commented just a day earlier.
I look forward to meeting you in person. In the meantime please comment on my Delhi post! Would love to hear your thoughts. Also thank you for following my blog and enjoying my write ups. It means the world to me to know that folks are enjoying my escapades and recipes ❤️Kalpana
Dear Kalpana: I am Samay’s mother, although Soham is like a son to me as well as all the boys (six in their group) have grown up together since they were a few years old. I look forward to meeting you in the near future. A million congratulations on Sri and Pranav coming together. Cannot wait for the wedding. Best regards. Anjali
Oops apologies!!! I have of heard Samay as well!! I can’t wait to meet you all and put a face to the names. I hope you enjoyed the write up on Delhi. We were unable to take pictures at the wedding boutiques as they were very strict about that. That’s why my post was more about the street markets in Delhi. I hope you enjoyed reading. And I apologize again for the mixup.
Absolutely loved that write up!!!! I am from Delhi, but learnt so much from your write up. We are now trying to recruit Soham to lead an expedition for us as well. I love all your writing that is totally vivid and filled with color and descriptions. Yes, looking forward to meeting you and your lovely family too. It has been a total pleasure getting to know your beloved daughter Sri over the last few years, and all of us will meet up soon as well.
Haha I hope Soham is prepared to be the guide for all his Bay Area friends.
Thank you again for your lovely compliment! Truly appreciate it.🙏🏻 Looking forward to meeting you all soon.
What Charming Hosts Sreedevi’s in-laws made. The photos have Captured the magnificent Hospitality extended to You all , Dolly. Did you have Aam Ras a Gujarati speciality Zooli? I tasted that in Birla House and ever since loved that Fruit infused Drink
Yes, truly can’t say enough good things about Pranav’s family, very caring and loving family – everyone! I dont think it was mango season when we went.
More celebrations to come! So excited for you, Hitesh, Sri, Pranav and the whole family! Thanks for taking us with you on this wonderful journey.🙏🏽🎉😍
So happy you are enjoying our travels and colorful escapades 🥰
Congratulations to you all! Beautiful pictures! You all look so happy.
God bless you all!
Love and Blessings
Basanthi
Thanks Basanthi!
Thank you so much Kalpana for penning the wonderful days we celebrated together. Looking forward to celebrating many more events together 💕
Priya, can’t thank you enough for hosting us and for all of you showing us such a wonderful time Baroda!! Words don’t do justice to what a fabulous time we had. Thank you!!
A wonderful visit with what is now your extended family😍. Everyone looks happy and your photos are bright and colorful. Sri and her fiancé are a beautiful couple! 💕
Thank you Joji. Yes we had an amazing time with soon to be extended family ❤️ Miss seeing you my friend!! Lets meet for brunch on a sunny day outside one day.