The Godhuli Lagna at 6.40 pm on the 47th free mass marriage, organised at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala on Sunday, saw 131 couples entering wedlock.
There was a festive spirit in the Kshethra since morning, with the Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari handing over saree and blouse piece for the brides, and dhothi, shawl, and shirt for the grooms. The brides and grooms took out a grand procession and circled the temple before heading to the hall, where actor Sudeep and the Heggade couple – Veerendra Heggade and Hemavathi – handed over the mangalsutra to the couples to solemnise their marriage.
The couples took oaths that they would care for each other for the rest of their lives. They also vowed that they would not fall prey to any vices.
Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said that mass marriages promote social equality. Out of the 131 couples, 23 had chosen their life partners outside their caste, which proves the same. People get married late, owing to various reasons. However, divorce is not a solution for all marital problems, and he called upon the newlyweds to protect the sanctity of marriage.
Sudeep said, “The love and trust showered on me by Kannadigas is my asset.”
A total of 12,160 couples entered wedlock at the free marriage conducted by Dharmasthala Kshethra so far. This year, 29 couples from SC got married. Of the total number of couples, five were from Kerala, 28 from Udupi, 10 from Dakshina Kannada and 17 from Shivamogga.
Birla joint president Manoj Kumar Mehta and others were present.
