Aishwarya, Abhishek Tie the Knot

It was billed as the "wedding of the year". And it turned out to be so. Finally, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai tied nuptial knot at a colourful but private ceremony this evening. The wedding was held in the North Indian style. 11 priests from Banaras conducted the rituals, as it was the last wish of late Haribansh Rai Bachchan. The ceremony was held on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya, which is also called as "wedding day".

Among the eminent personalities who graced the occasion were UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Prem Chopra, Danny, Sonali Bendre, Anupam Kher, Kiran Kher and close friends of the Bachchans, Anil and Tina Ambani and Amar Singh, J P Dutta, Vasu Bhagnani, musicians Ayan and Aman Ali Bangash, Yash Chopra and Karan Johar and Sachin Tendulkar.

The wedding procession contained six luxury buses, which took the 'Baraatis' to Prateeksha. Male members of the 'baraat' wore saffron turbans. The women were clad in richly embroidered sarees in dazzling colours. Abhishek looked great in the gold-embroidered white sherwani.