Karachi, Nov 10 (IANS) Over 40 Hindu couples have got married at a mass wedding here. The event was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council.
Council patron Ramesh Kumar told The News: “This is second mass wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 couples were married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples.”

The 41 couples were married for free at the flower decorated venue.

The brides were dressed in red saris and the grooms wore golden sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords. Each couple was allowed 10 guests.

Mukesh Kumar, a groom, said: “I had decided a long time ago that I would get married at a blessed mahurat (auspicious time), which comes only once a year.”

His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass wedding was a good way to dispense with all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family.

“I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives,” she said.

Former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas was present on the occasion.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the women’s wing of the council, said the cost for each couple’s wedding was approximately Rs.70,000.

Sharma said: “We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was sought from the government.”