The Hindu : Kerala News : Spreading a message in a novel way

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Friday, Mar 14, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Spreading a message in a novel way

Aluva: Amid chanting of mantras, the ‘bride’ and the ‘groom’ were united in a unique wedding ceremony at the Sree Veera Hanuman temple at nearby Athani on Wednesday.

The ‘groom,’ a two-year-old ox, ‘Kannan’ was married to a-year-and-a-half-old calf ‘Seetha’ in the presence of temple priests and devotees.

The event

The ceremony began when Acharya Kalidas Chaitanya along with devotees escorted the ‘bride’ in a specially decorated vehicle from the Valliyankavu Mutt to the Hanuman temple. The temple’s chief priest received the ‘bride’ at the entrance of the shrine.

As the wedding ceremony began, Kalidas Chaitanya tied the ‘thali’ (Mangalsutra) around the neck of the ‘bride’ on a specially erected ‘mandap’ near the sanctum sanctorum.

The newly weds were given groundnuts and jaggery and holy water was sprinkled and flower petals showered on them.

Garlands made of Tulsi leaves and jasmine were adorned on the newly weds. The guests were served a sumptuous wedding feast at the temple hall.

The ‘bride’ and the ‘groom’ would be looked after by the temple authorities.

Symbolic ritual

Temple authorities said the ceremony was held as a symbolic ritual offering to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy

and was held to spread awareness against cruelty to animals. – PTI

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