By Stone Martindale Mar 7, 2007, 20:15 GMT
Liz and Arun Nayar's ongoing Indian wedding party has moved from the city of Mumbai (Bombay) to the more chill town of Jodhpur in the western state of Rajasthan, reports the BBC.
© Janet Mayer / Photorazzi
On Wednesday evening they arrived, and were taken to Umaidh Bhawan palace where they will be staying with the Maharajah of Jodhpur in his private abode.
Jodhpur residents are no strangers to foreigners visitors and welcomed the Indian private plane filled with wedding guests.
Paparazzi waited outside in droves,the Indian press eagerly snapping at any group of foreigners arriving.
The BBC reports 300 guests are expected to attend the festivities, many staying in luxury hotels. Jodhpur's former palaces have now been turned in to hotels and have been designed to give guests a glimpse of how royalty lived.
Merchant Rakesh Surana told the BBC they are welcoming the couple because it is their culture to do so.
"We are all very excited that the wedding is taking place in Jodhpur. We left our factories and work midway to come here and catch a glimpse of all the VIPs coming in," he said to the BBC.
Some Jodhpurians don't share his enthusiasm.
Shopkeeper Suresh Rajwani told the BBC, "These events are too far removed from our lives, in any case, tourists come, buy from the handicraft stores and all the other posh shops, but how many of them come to these markets?"" and in Sojati Gate, the main city spot, it's business as usual. People go about their daily chores and do not seem concerned or affected by the celebrity wedding taking place nearby.
"It is a shame that Indians are going on about Elizabeth Hurley's wedding and have forgotten their own values and traditions," said Jodhpur resident, BM Gupta to BBC reporters.
"After all, who is this lady?" he snipped to the BBC "She already has a son out of wedlock and is now getting married.
"We just seem to keep quiet and accept everything when shown lots of money. I am not happy that this marriage is being given so much importance here."
Divorces are looked down upon and having a baby out of wedlock is seen as bringing shame to the family in India.
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