Hindu Couples Tie The Knot

After the success of the first Hindu mass wedding in Karachi last year, 42 couples came together from different parts of Sindh to tie the knot this year. While most of them belonged to Karachi, couples came from as far as Nawabshah, Daharki, Dighri, Thatta, and Hyderabad among other districts of Sindh. The event was organised by Pakistan Hindu Council at the YMCA ground on Sunday evening and all the expenses were borne by the council members to help the less privileged members of their community. (Text: Aroosa Masroor Photos: Tahir Jamal/ White Star)

Twenty-two year old Prem Kumar and his 18-year old wife, Pyari, who was also his cousin, came from Qazi Aman in Nawabshah along with three other couples from their family.

‘We read about the mass wedding in a local paper in Nawabshah. There were quite a few couples in our family who had been engaged so we thought of bringing them all here as it would reduce our expenses to a great extent,’ said the groom’s uncle, Puran Das.

Since the bride and groom’s family were instructed to invite only 10 guests each, Das said by registering four couples they were able to bring 80 of their close relatives with them to Karachi.

A wedding in Nawabshah would have normally cost them over Rs100,000, but purchasing bus tickets for the entire baraat only cost them Rs20, 000.

Apart from the bride and groom’s clothes, the families did not have to spend a single paisa on anything.

From the wedding meal to the bride’s jewellery and dowry, the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) made all the arrangements. ‘We're giving them a bedroom set, television, some kitchen utensils, washing machine and jewellery. Gold is quite expensive these days, so we have bought silver jewellery for all the brides instead,’ disclosed former MPA Dr Ramesh Kumar and patron PHC.

There were 44 mandaps arranged on either side of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) lawn, while the guests – approximately 2,000 in number – were seated in the center. Two couples, however, could not make it to the wedding.

The pundit (priest) spoke through a microphone and the bride and groom followed his instructions with the help of volunteers from the community. Over 30 volunteers were present to assist the families.

Some grooms were also made to hold a sword before the four rounds or pheras began, which is merely symbolic. ‘In the Meghwar community, the groom is considered no less than a prince,’ informed Bhagwati.

Another groom, Mukesh Kumar, who belonged to Karachi, was here to avoid family feuds. ‘We belong to the Meghwar community and are expected to invite all our community members,’ Mukesh’s sister, Bhagwati, told Dawn.com.

‘But my brother is a driver by profession and earns only Rs5, 000 a month. We couldn’t afford a lavish wedding so decided to register here. Only close relatives were invited. This way we won’t have to listen to everyone’s complaints.’

The mass wedding also provided an opportunity for various communities to interact and look for prospective brides and grooms.

‘I am here to look for a girl for my brother,’ said one.

Among the communities present were Gujrati, Marwari, Meghwar, Kohli and Lalwani.

Tight security arrangements were made at the lawn entrance and all the guests – especially those from outside Karachi – were thoroughly checked by security officials.

‘We were asked to be seated by 5:00pm and the wedding started at 8:00pm! Such events are tiring especially for guests who travel hundreds of kilometres only not to offend the host,’ said one guest, Ajini.

Some politicians including Mirza Ikhtiar Baig of the PPP and Advisor to CM Sindh Sharmila Farooqi were also present to bless the couples on the occasion.