SOCIETY

7,600 couples marry at Tirumala temple
by Jagdish

     Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh): About 7,600 couples tied the nuptial knot at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board of the famed Sri Venkateshwara Temple under the 'Kalyanamasthu' programme. The Sri Venkateswara Temple, is popularly known as the Balaji Temple, and is one of the most frequented pilgrim centres by Hindus. Of the 7600 weddings, 69 tied the nuptial knot at Tirupati. "All the married couple have been blessed by the Lord and we are also arranging a cellar Darshan for them," said A.V. Dharma Reddy, a Special Officer attached with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. It was a cherished dream come true for the young couples since they could not afford the marriage expenses. Bridegrooms and brides stood in a row opposite each other and exchanged garlands to be declared married. The general mood was one of fun and gaiety. "I am very happy. Lord Venkateshwara has given us this opportunity. Lots of people are coming and they are also enjoying. It's like a festival," said Naageswara Rao, newly wedded bridegroom. One of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam gifted the newly wed couples, rupees 7,000 in cash, a golden Mangalasutra (the wedding chain) and also arranged for tickets to visit the temple. This was the fourth edition of the Kalyanamasthu programme, a mass marriage ceremony, organised by the TTD, the governing authority of the Tirupati Temple for the welfare of the poor people. TTD has been organizing on such mass marriage ceremonies frequently. The marriages were conducted at a pre-decided auspicious time, which was between 10.55 and 11.10 a.m on Sunday (November 2).
-Nov 4, 2008    

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