Marriages fixed prior to curfew solemnised in many places

Although several marriage ceremonies were determined to solemnise during auspicious time periods called muhurats between 6 am and 7 am and between 7.30 am and 10.30 am in marriage halls, the marriages were rescheduled and solemnised early in the morning.

With the curfew beginning at 7 am and cancellation of public transport vehicles, the relatives and friends of brides and grooms found it difficult to attend the wedding, only a handful of close relatives converged at the marriage halls to bless the couples.

Receiving the guests to wedding events at the entrance of marriage halls, usually with the acts of hugging and handshaking, were consciously avoided and instead they were welcomed with the traditional folded hands.The couples tied nuptial knots between 4 am and 5 am to facilitate the return of the guests before the commencement of the janata curfew.

Setting an example, the marriage fixed for a bridegroom hailing from Chennai with a bride in Madurai was meticulously planned by both the families, who informed their relatives about the change in muhurtham timing and requesting them to take a decision on attending the ceremony on their convenience.  

“We informed our kin and friends through mobile phone that we will not feel disappointed about their absence in view of observance of people’s curfew,” said the maternal uncle of the bride who does not want to reveal their personal identifies to the media.

The couples after tying nuptial knots left the marriage halls along with their close relatives before 7 am.Meanwhile, the wedding events of several couples scheduled at historic temples like Sri Meenkashi Sundareswarar Temple and Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruppankundram in Madurai, Lord Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruchendur etc, were held in front of the temples following closure for public entry.