Moving tents, jumbo coolers to help baraatis beat the heat

Indore: With no respite in heatwave, wedding organizers in Indore are deploying innovative cooling measures like moving tents (shamyianas), jumbo coolers, and mist sprinkles to help baraatis beat the heat.

The city recently witnessed a ‘shamyiana baraat,’ ---a large moving tent along with over 20 jumbo coolers to let the wedding party, including the groom on horseback, move and even dance comfortably, while providing continuous shade and cooling.

Hotel and restaurant association of western India, MP committee, chairman Sumit Suri said that managing afternoon events in the scorching sun has become a significant challenge for the hospitality sector. “To keep the guests, cool and their energy levels high, we are utilizing high-velocity jumbo coolers and mist sprinklers throughout the procession route and at the reception venues,” Suri told TOI.

Beyond physical cooling structures, catering has shifted toward hydration-heavy menus. Processions now feature mobile carts serving traditional coolers such as keri pana, jal jeera, sugarcane juice, lassi, and various sherbets.

Event manager Dharmendra Chouksey highlighted a growing trend of ‘day weddings’, where the main ceremonies, including saat-phere, are performed during the gau dhuli bela (twilight). This allows the entire event to conclude in a single day, saving on rising hotel and marriage garden costs while accommodating guests’ busy schedules.