Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady
Beltangady, Apr 29: Promoting simplicity and curbing extravagant wedding expenditures, the 54th annual free mass marriage ceremony was held at the Amrutha Varshini Hall in Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala on Wednesday under the auspices of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust.
Distributing the mangalsutras to the couples, Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade said, "Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala has always prioritised simple mass marriages to discourage wasteful spending. This tradition has continued uninterrupted with the blessings of Sri Manjunatha Swamy. When we started this initiative 54 years ago, there was significant economic poverty. Times have changed now, but the focus remains on simple weddings over pomp and show. Many donors have joined hands for this cause." He wished the newlywed couples a happy and prosperous married life.
Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja addressed the gathering, stating that Dr Veerendra Heggade and Hemavathi Heggade serve as an inspiration and role model for the new couples. "Over the past 54 years, thousands have started their domestic lives through these mass marriages. May your lives be guided by the ideals of Dr Heggade and the blessings of Manjunatha Swamy," he said.
Harish Kumar, president of the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM), remarked that the free mass marriage ceremony is one of the many noble social initiatives of the Kshetra. He noted that entering wedlock in such a sacred atmosphere is a privilege and serves as an ideal alternative to lavish weddings.
MLC Pratapsimha Nayak, Hemavathi V Heggade, D Harshendra Kumar, and Ramavarma Ballal were present on the dais.
Earlier, Shraddha Amit, CEO of Kshemavana, Bengaluru, welcomed the guests. Vasantha Manjithaya and team performed the Vedic chants. Dr Sunil Pandit, principal of SDM Residential College, Ujire, administered the marriage vows. A V Shetty, personal secretary to Dr Heggade, proposed the vote of thanks, while Srinivas Rao and Sampath Kumar Rai compered the programme.
13,100th milestone couple
Mahadevaswamy from Malavalli taluk in Mandya district and Usha Raghu Mogera from Sirsi taluk in Uttara Kannada district earned the distinction of being the 13,100th couple to get married in the history of the Kshetra's mass marriage initiative.
Participation details
A total of 106 couples tied the knot this year. This included 105 couples from various districts across Karnataka—including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, and Mysuru—and one couple from Andhra Pradesh. The professional backgrounds of the grooms included one government employee, 41 daily wage labourers, 12 farmers, five businessmen, 12 drivers, 30 private sector employees, and five carpenters.
Ceremony
The traditional wedding procession of the 106 couples commenced from the temple premises at 5:10 pm and reached the Amrutha Varshini Hall. At 6:10 pm, the mangalsutras were distributed. Amidst Vedic chants and the sacred 'Godhuli Lagna' at 6:40 pm, the couples exchanged garlands and tied the nuptial knots in the presence of Dr Heggade, his family members, and other dignitaries.