Inside pics from Saath Nibhana Saathiya fame Gia Manek aka Gopi bahu and Varunn Jain's temple wedding

Gia Manek, best known as the original Gopi Bahu from Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, has begun a beautiful new journey in her life. The actress recently tied the knot with actor Varunn Jain on August 21. The couple, who kept their relationship private, surprised fans by sharing the happy news of their wedding, which was held in an intimate ceremony with close family and friends. Here’s a closer look at the couple and their special wedding day. (Photo: Instagram)

Gia Manek became a household name after playing the much-loved character of ‘Gopi Bahu’ in Saath Nibhana Saathiya. Her innocence as the naive daughter-in-law married into a rich Gujarati family in Saath Nibhana Saathiya earned her a special place in the hearts of many Indians. While the actress went on to play many roles over her career, her 'Gopi Bahu' character till date remains the most favourite among fans. (Photo: Instagram)

Varunn Jainn, just like Gia, comes from the television world. He started his acting journey in 2010 and has since played memorable roles in shows like Diya Aur Baati Hum and Kaali – Ek Agnipariksha. Over the years, he made a place for himself as a versatile actor on Indian television. In 2021, Varunn appeared in Giaa’s show Tere Mere Saath Rahe, where he played the role of Gopika’s brother-in-law. (Photo: Instagram)

According to reports, Giaa and Varunn's friendship grew stronger while working together on Tere Mera Saath Rahe. Eventually turning their friendship into love. However, the couple kept their relationship extremely private and never indulged in any PDAs or media interaction. They were not even spotted at events or dinner dates together. (Photo: Instagram)

Giaa and Varunn are extremely spiritual beings, and they wanted their wedding ceremony to be held in the same manner. Instead of choosing a traditional ceremony, they opted to tie the knot through a Yogic ritual called Bhuta Shuddhi Vivah. This special kind of wedding holds a different kind of meaning in a person's spiritual path. It starts with cleansing and purifying the five natural elements: Fire, Water, Air, Space, and Earth. According to the Isha Foundation, this type of wedding helps in solidifying a couple's union. (Photo: Instagram)

Gia, who has always kept her personal life private, shared two pictures from her beautiful yogic wedding ceremony. The actress was dressed in a mustard yellow saree with a golden silk border. She styled it with a half-sleeved blouse which had a round neck, while keeping the drape simple. She tied her hair in a low bun, adding a touch of tradition with white gajra flowers. The highlight of her look however, was the heavy temple jewellery — a matar mala, a kamarband, jhumkas, and a maang teeka. On the other hand, her groom was dressed up in a yellow-hued sherwani. (Photo: Instagram)

While sharing her wedding photos Gia wrote a lovely message saying, "With the grace of Divine and Master’s and with all the love showered, we’ve stepped into this forever union — hand in hand, heart to heart. We were two friends, today we’re husband & wife. So grateful for the love, blessings and wishes from all our loved ones who made this day so special. Cheers to a lifetime of laughter, adventure, memories, and togetherness as Mr & Mrs Gia & Varunn." (Photo: Instagram)

Recently, Gia shared a few more pictures from her wedding day where she even thanked everyone for the love and blessings she received from her fans and well-wishers. In the photos, Gia and her husband can be seen visiting the Linga Bhairavi Devi temple. Along with the photos, she wrote, “Pristine and serene, in the abode of the Velliangiri Hills… immersed in divine grace, joy, and gratitude, we felt truly blessed as we walked through this well-defined, simple, profound, and sacred process of Bhuta Shuddhi Vivaha. To all our loved ones who couldn’t be a part of the Vivaha—know that your love, wishes, and blessings were with us every step of the way. Grateful beyond words.” (Photo: Instagram)