Mysore, India - Suttur wore a festive look on Monday as 182 couples became man and wife at a mass marriage held as part of the jathra mahotsava.
The highlights of day two of the six-day event, organised by the Veera Simhasana Mahasansthan, were the mass marriage, presentation and dedication of a silver chariot to the math for religious purposes, and the inauguration of a seminar on agriculture and cultural programmes.
Mass marriages were introduced to help couples marry without incurring any cost. The math takes care of the preparations for the wedding and also distributes the customary ‘mangalsutra' and wedding clothes.
So far, more than 1,300 couples have been married. The event is blessed by senior seers of the math and other religious institutions.
Monday's event was witnessed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Shivakumar Swami of Siddaganga Math, Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Math and other dignitaries.
After the ceremony, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Government was committed to development. Emphasis would be laid on agriculture, irrigation and education, and adequate provision made for them in the budget.
Minister for Home and Transport R. Ashok spoke on some of the schemes introduced by the Government and said the Bhagyalakshmi scheme was a case in point.
He praised the Suttur Math for organising the mass marriage and said it would help thousands of people.
During the agricultural seminar, scientists from various farm universities will throw light on new developments in the field, apart from discussing issues related to modernisation of agricultural practices.
There will be an all-religion congregation or Sarva Dharma Sammelan on Tuesday, which will be inaugurated by Balagangadharnath Swami of Adichunchanagiri Math.
The renovated museum will be inaugurated on Wednesday, and cultural programmes will be held every day at the venue.