Mass Wedding Ceremony Celebrates the Union of Over 76 Couples in Jalahalli
**JALAHALLI | SPECIAL REPORT**
# Mass Wedding Ceremony Celebrates the Union of Over 76 Couples in Jalahalli
### Mass weddings help curb extravagant expenditure: MLA Karemma G. Nayak
**Jalahalli, October 29:** A grand mass wedding ceremony involving more than 76 couples was held at the premises of the Sri Lakshmi Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Jalahalli village of Devadurga taluk, Raichur district. The event was organised by the Sri Lakshmi Ranganatha Govinda Seva Samiti.
The programme began with a devotional song rendered by Dr. R.S. Hulamani Gowda, followed by the collective singing of a farmers’ song in honour of the farming community. Kashi Jagadgurus Dr. Mallikarjuna Vishwaradhya Shivacharya inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
### Mass Weddings Reduce Financial Burden on Families: MLA Karemma G Nayak
Presiding over the programme, Devadurga MLA Karemma G. Nayak said that marriage is an important milestone in every person’s life. However, extravagant spending on wedding ceremonies has become increasingly common. In this context, mass weddings help reduce the financial burden on poor and middle-class families while promoting equality and communal harmony, she said.
She appreciated the Govinda Seva Samiti for bringing people from different communities together and organising the mass wedding of more than 76 couples with the support of the public. Organising such events is a major responsibility, and everyone should encourage and support mass marriages, she added.
The MLA further said that since being elected, she had prioritised various development works in Jalahalli, including school buildings and road construction. For the past three years, she has been extending support to couples participating in the mass wedding by providing gold *mangalsutras* (marital necklaces). Such initiatives help economically disadvantaged families and contribute to reducing social discrimination, she said.
### Mass Wedding Initiative Deserves Appreciation: Kashi Jagadgurus
In his blessings and address, Kashi Jagadguru Dr. Mallikarjuna Vishwaradhya Shivacharya said that even in rural areas, wedding expenses had risen to approximately ₹5 lakh to ₹6 lakh. Under these circumstances, arranging a marriage had become a major financial challenge for ordinary families.
He appreciated the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Govinda Seva Samiti of Jalahalli for organising the mass wedding with the cooperation and support of the community.
He also noted that the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple has a rich historical heritage and that its annual fair has traditionally been celebrated on a grand scale, attracting large numbers of devotees every year. However, with the growing crowds, the available space at the fairground may prove insufficient in the coming years, he expressed concern.
He urged devotees and villagers to remain vigilant in protecting the temple land so that future religious events, including the annual fair and mass weddings, could be conducted without difficulty. He also suggested making alternative arrangements for the priests to ensure that religious ceremonies and other programmes could continue without obstruction.
### Giriyappa Pujari Acknowledges Support from Donors
In his introductory speech, Giriyappa Pujari said that the Govinda Seva Samiti of the Sri Lakshmi Ranganatha Swamy Temple had been organising mass weddings since 2013.
He said MLA Karemma G. Nayak had been providing gold *mangalsutras* to brides and grooms for the past three years. Former Surpur MLA Rajugouda had been providing clothes to the couples since 2013, while Ramanagouda had been contributing five quintals of sugar every year.
He expressed gratitude to all donors and supporters whose contributions had helped make the mass wedding programme a success.
### Make Charity a Habit: Jayashanteshwara Swamiji
Jagadarya Jayashanteshwara Swamiji, in his spiritual address, urged everyone to make charity a regular practice. He said that charitable acts foster a spirit of service and compassion in society and also pave the way for spiritual growth.
### MP Blesses Newly Married Couples
Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik and Congress district president Shantappa visited the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and blessed the newly married couples. They later left the programme due to other commitments.
### Dignitaries Attend the Ceremony
The programme was attended by Basavaraj Rajaguru of Mandakal Math, Mundargi Shivaprasad Tatanavaru, Gram Panchayat president Hanumanti Ram Pali, former Zilla Panchayat member Veeranna Pani, Basavaraj Pampapati, Indira R., Anganwadi supervisor Shantabai, Panchayat Development Officer Lakshmi Ashtagi, CPI Pundalik, RDCC Bank director Rajashekhar Nayak, former Zilla Panchayat members Mahadevappa Patil and Veeranna Bale, Amaresh Patil, Basavaraj Ramulu, Anantaraj Nayak, Rajaram Bhadrappanayak, Sridhar Desai, Anand Patil, Prabhakar Deshpande, Amaregowda Mali Patil, Sharanagouda Police Patil, Govindaraj Thimpur, Thimmanna Nayak Diwan and several other dignitaries.
Govinda Seva Samiti members and office-bearers, including Mudurangappa Kyadigera, Venkoba Pujari, Siddappa Gumedar, Chandrakant Chikkal, Venugopal Gowda, Timmareddy Chital Kunta, Shivanagouda Vandali, Basanagouda Desai, Shivanagouda Kakkaladoddi, Hanumagouda Mali Patil, Thimmanna Didagi, Mounesh Nayak, Balayya Yarakamattti, Yasin Mulla, Rangappa Bandi, Suresh Galag, Chandappa Buddinni, Yankappa Murala, Amaresh Pujari, Hussenappa Chalavadi and Yankappa Lingadahalli, also participated in the event.
Office-bearers of various organisations and a large number of villagers from Jalahalli attended the ceremony.
Hanumagouda Chikkal welcomed the gathering, while retired teacher Shivaputrappa compered the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.
**Report: Khaja Hussain Baba, Jalahalli**
# Mass Wedding Ceremony Celebrates the Union of Over 76 Couples in Jalahalli
### Mass weddings help curb extravagant expenditure: MLA Karemma G. Nayak
**Jalahalli, October 29:** A grand mass wedding ceremony involving more than 76 couples was held at the premises of the Sri Lakshmi Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Jalahalli village of Devadurga taluk, Raichur district. The event was organised by the Sri Lakshmi Ranganatha Govinda Seva Samiti.
The programme began with a devotional song rendered by Dr. R.S. Hulamani Gowda, followed by the collective singing of a farmers’ song in honour of the farming community. Kashi Jagadgurus Dr. Mallikarjuna Vishwaradhya Shivacharya inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
### Mass Weddings Reduce Financial Burden on Families: MLA Karemma G Nayak
Presiding over the programme, Devadurga MLA Karemma G. Nayak said that marriage is an important milestone in every person’s life. However, extravagant spending on wedding ceremonies has become increasingly common. In this context, mass weddings help reduce the financial burden on poor and middle-class families while promoting equality and communal harmony, she said.
She appreciated the Govinda Seva Samiti for bringing people from different communities together and organising the mass wedding of more than 76 couples with the support of the public. Organising such events is a major responsibility, and everyone should encourage and support mass marriages, she added.
The MLA further said that since being elected, she had prioritised various development works in Jalahalli, including school buildings and road construction. For the past three years, she has been extending support to couples participating in the mass wedding by providing gold *mangalsutras* (marital necklaces). Such initiatives help economically disadvantaged families and contribute to reducing social discrimination, she said.
### Mass Wedding Initiative Deserves Appreciation: Kashi Jagadgurus
In his blessings and address, Kashi Jagadguru Dr. Mallikarjuna Vishwaradhya Shivacharya said that even in rural areas, wedding expenses had risen to approximately ₹5 lakh to ₹6 lakh. Under these circumstances, arranging a marriage had become a major financial challenge for ordinary families.
He appreciated the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Govinda Seva Samiti of Jalahalli for organising the mass wedding with the cooperation and support of the community.
He also noted that the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple has a rich historical heritage and that its annual fair has traditionally been celebrated on a grand scale, attracting large numbers of devotees every year. However, with the growing crowds, the available space at the fairground may prove insufficient in the coming years, he expressed concern.
He urged devotees and villagers to remain vigilant in protecting the temple land so that future religious events, including the annual fair and mass weddings, could be conducted without difficulty. He also suggested making alternative arrangements for the priests to ensure that religious ceremonies and other programmes could continue without obstruction.
### Giriyappa Pujari Acknowledges Support from Donors
In his introductory speech, Giriyappa Pujari said that the Govinda Seva Samiti of the Sri Lakshmi Ranganatha Swamy Temple had been organising mass weddings since 2013.
He said MLA Karemma G. Nayak had been providing gold *mangalsutras* to brides and grooms for the past three years. Former Surpur MLA Rajugouda had been providing clothes to the couples since 2013, while Ramanagouda had been contributing five quintals of sugar every year.
He expressed gratitude to all donors and supporters whose contributions had helped make the mass wedding programme a success.
### Make Charity a Habit: Jayashanteshwara Swamiji
Jagadarya Jayashanteshwara Swamiji, in his spiritual address, urged everyone to make charity a regular practice. He said that charitable acts foster a spirit of service and compassion in society and also pave the way for spiritual growth.
### MP Blesses Newly Married Couples
Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik and Congress district president Shantappa visited the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and blessed the newly married couples. They later left the programme due to other commitments.
### Dignitaries Attend the Ceremony
The programme was attended by Basavaraj Rajaguru of Mandakal Math, Mundargi Shivaprasad Tatanavaru, Gram Panchayat president Hanumanti Ram Pali, former Zilla Panchayat member Veeranna Pani, Basavaraj Pampapati, Indira R., Anganwadi supervisor Shantabai, Panchayat Development Officer Lakshmi Ashtagi, CPI Pundalik, RDCC Bank director Rajashekhar Nayak, former Zilla Panchayat members Mahadevappa Patil and Veeranna Bale, Amaresh Patil, Basavaraj Ramulu, Anantaraj Nayak, Rajaram Bhadrappanayak, Sridhar Desai, Anand Patil, Prabhakar Deshpande, Amaregowda Mali Patil, Sharanagouda Police Patil, Govindaraj Thimpur, Thimmanna Nayak Diwan and several other dignitaries.
Govinda Seva Samiti members and office-bearers, including Mudurangappa Kyadigera, Venkoba Pujari, Siddappa Gumedar, Chandrakant Chikkal, Venugopal Gowda, Timmareddy Chital Kunta, Shivanagouda Vandali, Basanagouda Desai, Shivanagouda Kakkaladoddi, Hanumagouda Mali Patil, Thimmanna Didagi, Mounesh Nayak, Balayya Yarakamattti, Yasin Mulla, Rangappa Bandi, Suresh Galag, Chandappa Buddinni, Yankappa Murala, Amaresh Pujari, Hussenappa Chalavadi and Yankappa Lingadahalli, also participated in the event.
Office-bearers of various organisations and a large number of villagers from Jalahalli attended the ceremony.
Hanumagouda Chikkal welcomed the gathering, while retired teacher Shivaputrappa compered the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.
**Report: Khaja Hussain Baba, Jalahalli**