Guwahati, May 22 (IANS): An elderly couple tied the knot here and is also to set out on Monday for their honeymoon in the Meghalaya capital of Shillong.

Shantanu Kumar Das, 73, and Manju Sinha Roy, 63, are boarders at the Old Age Home in Guwahati.

"It was love at first sight. They started an affair within days of their arrival at the Home. But we came to know of it only three months back. It was then that we decided on arranging their marriage," the Old Age Home's secretary Monika Sarma said.

Das, who hails from Karimganj district, was the first boarder of the Old Age Home, which came up in 2012. The same year Manju, belonging to Lalganesh area here, also arrived at the Home, said Monika.

"They are very happy as over 2,000 people attended their marriage. They would be staying here in the Home for the rest of their lives," Monika said.

Das is a retired engineer whose wife passed away a few years back. They had no children. He was staying in a rented house in the city before being brought to the Home by Monika and others.

Manju, on the other hand, had lost her parents a long time back and was staying at her brother's house. She was single and she came to the Home after her brother's demise.

"I was thinking that I would remain unmarried all my life. I am so happy that I am married now. This is certainly the happiest moment of my life. I am so thankful to Shantanu for choosing me as his partner," said Manju.

She also thanked the officials of the Old Age Home for their initiative and support.

The marriage, solemnized on Wednesday at the Home, received huge support as people from different walks of life participated in the ceremony.

Close to 2,200 guests attended and they were all offered vegetarian 'thalis'.

"We spent close to a lakh of rupees on the marriage. Das bought the jewelleries and clothes for the bride himself and we organised the rest. We also received donations from friends and well wishers," Monika said.