Prime Minister Stephen Harper has, in his own words, "married again."
Harper made the comment at the conclusion of a ceremony at the Someshwara Swamy Temple in Bangalore, India on Thursday, according to the Indian news service PTI.
The couple entered the Hindu temple in bare feet, following the priest to a sacred shrine inside. The priest placed a scarf and then a garland over Harper's head as a blessing, and gave one of each to the Prime Minister to put around his wife's neck.
Laureen Harper, the Prime Minister's wife, also made reference to the ceremony being like a marriage, according to the Canadian Press.
"Laureen was excited by the ritual, which included lighting of the oil lamp with camphor and offering to the deity. As the head priest blessed the couple to live a long, happy and healthy life, the prime minister declared that they have married again here in Hindu style," an official escorting Harper's party told the Indian news service IANS.
Harper seems to be in a romantic mood of late. The couple visited the Taj Mahal, a site synonymous with love, earlier in the trip and last month the Prime Minister unexpectedly dropped in on a wedding photo shoot in an Ottawa park.
With files from The Canadian Press
Harper's Indian Trip
