India hosts Hurley celebrations

By Monica Chadha
BBC News, Mumbai

Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar married after a five-year relationship

British actress Elizabeth Hurley and her new husband, Arun Nayar, have arrived in Mumbai at the start of six days of wedding celebrations.

They were married in a private ceremony on Friday in Gloucestershire, western England, and held celebrations at a castle attended by celebrity guests.

The pair were mobbed by media at Mumbai airport, then drove to the south of the city, where Mr Nayar's parents live.

The couple will later fly to Jodhpur for a traditional Indian wedding.

Turmeric ceremony

The pair are staying at the Taj Mahal hotel, near to Mr Nayar's parents' residence, during their two-day visit to the city.

Liz Hurley is set to attend a traditional Indian bride ceremony

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie also stayed at the hotel with partner Brad Pitt during a film shoot last year.

It has been widely reported that Indian industrialist Adi Godrej's wife and top Mumbai socialite, Parmeshwar Godrej, will be throwing a party for the two on Monday evening.

Ms Godrej is known for her parties and has hosted Hollywood stars Richard Gere and Goldie Hawn in the past.

The city's top celebrities are expected to attend.

An Indian paper reported the event will include the traditional pre-wedding turmeric ceremony that every Indian bride-to-be must go through.

Turmeric paste is applied to the woman's hands, legs and face while some is also dabbed on the groom's face.

It is believed the paste brings a glow to their faces during the wedding.

On Wednesday, the celebrity couple are expected to fly to the northern city of Jodhpur, where they will have a traditional Indian wedding in Umaid Bhawan palace, correspondents say.

The general manager of the palace, Sanjay Uma Shankar, told the BBC the wedding will take place between 7 and 9 March.

"We have moved chefs and manpower from various Taj hotels in India to ensure this goes flawlessly," he said.

Mr Shankar said about 250 guests were expected.