First Hindu American in US Congress, Tulsi Gabbard, gets married in traditional vedic ceremony

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu American in the US Congress and a staunch supporter of PM Modi was among the list of high profile personalities that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his New York visit in 2014. She got married on Thursday in a traditional vedic ceremony in Hawaii to cinematographer Abraham Williams.

Tulsi Gabbard. Image courtesy: Tulsi Gabbard's website

The wedding, which took place at a historic site on the island of Oahu, was performed by a Brahmin in both Sanskrit and English according to the Washington Post.

Gabbard, a 33-year-old US Democrat Congresswoman from Hawaii, is also an Iraq war veteran. She is the first practicing Hindu American in the Congress who took her oath on the Bhagavad Gita.

After  Modi's victory in the April-May election, she issued a statement saying she looked forward to "working with Mr. Modi and other members of the Indian government toward our mutual goals of peace, stability, and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region."

During  PM's Modi's visit to the US, Gabbar's family presented Modi with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and a ginger flower garland from Hawaii.

She shared pictures from her wedding live via her Twitter account.

Ho'omaika'i 'Ana, @TulsiGabbard & Abe! #TulsiAbeWedding pic.twitter.com/NCpZB9tQxp

— Darren Shiroma (@DarrenShiroma) April 10, 2015

#TulsiAbeWedding pic.twitter.com/iD6DirCw5d

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 10, 2015

#TulsiAbeWedding pic.twitter.com/85DbLILwaD

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 10, 2015

Parents of the bride and groom and all the guests bless the wedding rings. #TulsiAbeWedding pic.twitter.com/PPgDRLfnRt

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 10, 2015