Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Dec 17: In a rare incident, a bride and groom got engaged online through a video call after the groom was unable to take leave from work. The virtual engagement ceremony was held at Saraswathi Sabhabhavan in Chitpady, Udupi.

Suhas S from Chakrabavi village in Magadi taluk and Megha from Udupi exchanged rings online in accordance with tradition. Suhas, who is employed in Canada, could not travel to India due to work commitments and the inability to secure leave. With their wedding scheduled for January 7 and 8, the families mutually decided to conduct the engagement virtually.

While the engagement ceremony took place in Udupi in the morning, it was past midnight in Canada. Suhas participated through a video call and showed the ring to the camera as part of the ceremony. Megha, along with her family members and relatives, were physically present at the venue in Udupi.

Elders performed aarti, offered mantrakshate and conveyed their blessings to the couple through the video call. The priest, too, conducted the engagement rituals virtually.

Explaining the decision, Gauri Sridhar, the groom’s mother, said that since Suhas could not come from Canada, the family opted for a virtual engagement. “Though it was late at night there, our son was present through the video call. Except for his physical absence, everything went smoothly,” she said.