BBC Online :
The wedding procession of the son of Asia’s richest man has begun in the Indian city of Mumbai.
Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, is set to tie the knot with Radhika Merchant, daughter of pharma tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant.
On Friday, the groom set off from his residence in a luxurious red car covered in strings of white flowers, as joyful guests danced around it.
The four-day wedding extravaganza is the final stop in a string of lavish parties the family has hosted since March.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and former UK PM Tony Blair are among the international guests attending the ceremony.
The procession, known as the baraat, is on its way to the wedding venue – a convention centre owned by the family.
Reports says the bride and the groom will exchange garlands at 20:00 local time (14:30GMT). The pheras – the main wedding ritual of the couple walking around the sacred fire seven times – is set for 21:30 (1600GMT).
Key roads in the city are sealed off for several hours a day until the festivities end on Monday.
The months of lavish celebrations have already featured performances by popstars like Rihanna and Justin Bieber.
But it has also led to backlash – city dwellers have complained of traffic snarls, while others have questioned the ostentatious display of wealth at the seemingly never-ending celebrations.
On Friday, the city witnessed heavy rains with waterlogging reported in some parts.
Mukesh Ambani, 66, is at present the world’s 10th richest man with a net worth of $115bn, according to Forbes. Reliance Industries, founded by his father in 1966, is a massive conglomerate that operates in sectors ranging from petroleum and retail, to financial services and telecoms.
Anant Ambani is the youngest of his three children, all of whom are on the board of Reliance Industries. The 29-year-old is involved in Reliance’s energy businesses and is on the board of Reliance Foundation.
On Friday, the couple will get married in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre.
Reports say the family will host a grand reception at the weekend, before a final reception for their household staff on Monday.