Twelve Thousand Hindu Couples Tie The Knot In Mass Marriages Across Andhra Pradesh, India

By Staff
Monday, June 13, 2011

(Photo :   Priests perform rituals during a mass marriage of 175 couples at Lalitha Kala Thoranam in Hyderabad on Friday, India)

HYDERABAD, INDIA, May 21, 2011: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, lauded the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) trust for organizing a mass marriage for poor people. About 12,000 couples across Andhra Pradesh entered into wedlock yesterday as part of the sixth phase of mass marriages by TTD.

Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns, the marriages were performed in various towns of the state between 9.52am and 10.04am, the auspicious time set by pundits.

TTD, which manages the affairs of the famous Tirumala temple, spent about US$155 on each couple, providing them wedding apparel, mangala sutra (chain), silver toe rings for brides, and food for 60 guests from both sides.

The temple body has so far performed marriages of 46,000 couples under Kalyanotsavam, launched four years ago, to strengthen the Hindu marriage system and to help the poor Hindu families perform marriages of their children in accordance with Hindu traditions.

Mahashivratri Celebrated at Port Louis and Across Mauritius by Hindus

By PHP Staff
Thursday, March 03, 2011

(Photo : Map of Mauritius)

PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS : Once a year thousands of devout souls visit the Ganga Talao (pond), one of the holiest sites on the island, situated at Grande Bassin in the south, offer their prayers to Lord Shiva and bring back jal (water) on Sivaratri.

People usually start these preparations more than a month in advance. Before they set out on this journey to the lake and back, on foot, palanquins are taken to the temple near their homes. Pujas are performed, the processon goes and once they reach the Ganga Talao they once again return home. After all the pujas are done, the murtis in the palanquins are disposed of in the sea.

Along the path, there are these generous souls who put up stalls so that pilgrims can rest. They are also offered fruits, juices and vegetarian dishes.

It is the last stretch that seems to be the longest. After six hours of walking, the last 20 minutes is the most difficult -- you see the huge stature of Lord Shiva right in front of you but you never seem to actually reach it. And then finally you do. You say your prayers and move ahead towards the main lake beside which the main Shiva linga is. It takes you another hour or so in line to finally make it there.

The holy water will be poured on the Shiva linga at home or a nearby temple, where major pujas are conducted on the final day.