The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Kalyanamasthu gets under way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 27, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Kalyanamasthu gets under way

S. Harpal Singh

Photo: Mohd. Arif

Auspicious occasion: Couples offering ‘Arundhati Namaskaram’ at the Kalyanamasthu programme organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Sangareddy on Sunday.

ADILABAD: In a ground breaking event of sorts, a Banjara tribal got married at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)-sponsored free mass marriages function here on Sunday. As tribal occasions are deeply entrenched in traditions and customs, it is quite unusual for them to take to a different custom. Lavu Kumar Rathod of Bhimpur tanda in Narnoor mandal and Archanabai Chauhan of Palaitanda in Bela mandal got married at the Kalyanamasthu some what against the wishes of their elders. Chauhan Bandu, the elder brother of Archanabai said both the families had opposed initially to the proposal of getting the marriage solemnised at the Kalyanamasthu.

“However, we agreed because the TTD had sponsored it. The sponsorship had great sanctity. We felt as if we were solemnising the wedding at a temple,” Bandu added. The fact that the Banjara or Lambada families were happy was evident in the number of guests who arrived at the kalyanamandapam from the side of both the groom and the bride. The newly weds Lavu Kumar and Archanabai were all praise for the TTD for organising such an event. “It is especially helpful to the poor who wish to get married. I am sure there will be more number of youth from our community to opt for the Kalyanamasthu weddings in future,”hoped Lavu Kumar.

Medak Staff Reporter adds: In all 77 couples tied the knot on Sunday in Medak district. Thirteen couples got married here at the TTD Kalyanamandapam in the presence of Collector B.Venkatesam.

The district administration donated essential utensils to all the newly married couples along with the free mangalasutram presented by the TTD. Zilla Parishat chairman M.Balaiah and municipal chairman B.Vijayalakshmi attended the Kalyanamasthu programme here and blessed the newly wed.

Karimnagar Staff Reporter adds: A total of 39 marriages were performed as part of the Kalyanamasthuprogramme sponsored by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Karimnagar town. Zilla Parishad Chairman Arepalli Mohan and Karimnagar Mayor D Shankar participated as chief guests and distributed mangalsutras, mattelu and garlands to the couples.

On this occasion, Karimnagar Agricultural Market committee chairman Y. Sunil Rao donated a bucket and mug as gift to the newly weds.

Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam donated steel pot, plates and glasses to the couples.

Former legislator Bomma Venkateshwar, corporator M Rajender, TTD in charge Bhanu Prakash and others were also present.

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