JOIN USCouples belonging to different castes, physically challenged and widows took part in the mass wedding ceremony organised by Sri Suttur Srikshetra Jatra Mahotsava Committee here on Sunday.
In all, 145 couples entered wedlock. The Committee organises mass wedding ceremony every year during the annual festival of the 11th century pontiff Sri Shivarathreeshwara at Suttur village located on the banks of Kabini River.
The six-day jatra mahotsava began on Saturday.
Three physically challenged, three pairs of widows and widowers entered wedlock during the event. While there were 12 inter-caste marriages, 84 couples belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and eight pairs of Scheduled Tribes (ST) tied the nuptial knot during the ceremony.
Mauritius vice president Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, who was the chief guest for the event, congratulated the newly weds and said that the mass marriage ceremony organised by the mutt is a role model.
"Usually, people in India spend huge amounts of money on marriage ceremonies which may leave them ridden with debt. Simple and mass marriages save a lot of money and couples can lead a peaceful life without any additional burden," he said.
While former chief minister Jagadish Shettar administered the oath to the newly-weds, Suttur Seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, Channaveera Shivacharya Swami of Channabasaveshwara mutt and Mummadi Nirvana Swami of Kanakapur Degula mutt blessed the couples. Thousands of people witnessed the marriage ceremony.