Srinagar, Nov. 8 -- Weddings everywhere are occasions of celebration, hospitality, and cultural bonding. In Kashmir, at the heart of these celebrations is the Wazwan, an elaborate traditional feast that has for long symbolized Kashmiri identity, and the warmth of its hospitality.

Over the years, however, the traditional feast has undergone a significant change. What was once primarily about serving traditional delicacies and welcoming guests is increasingly becoming a display of social prestige, with the number of dishes often determining how lavishly a family has celebrated a wedding.

Wazwan is served in a large copper plate called 'Trami', which is shared by four people. Traditionally, the feast would have around seven dishes, and the...