Udaipur: When the eyes dreamt, the lips couldn't speak, and while the heart felt the excitement, the world ignored it. Today, many such dreams will come true in the courtyard of Narayan Seva Sansthan.
The 43rd two-day mass wedding for the underprivileged and differently-abled individuals at Narayan Seva Sansthan's Seva Mahatirth in Badi began on Saturday with the Haldi and Mehendi rituals, and the journey towards marriage culminated with the Sindoor ceremony. On Sunday, 51 couples will take seven vows around the sacred fire, becoming life partners for eternity.
On the first day, the founder of the institution, Padmashree-awarded Kailash 'Manav', co-founder Kamla Devi, President Prashant Agarwal, and Director Vandana Agarwal performed the Vinayak Pratishtha and invoked blessings for the success of the wedding. Around 800 guests from Asia, Oceania, North America, Europe, and different states of India, including Rajasthan, came to bless the differently-abled couples.
Notably, among the couples who are getting married, some have no legs, some have no hands, and there are others who cannot see or hear. But thanks to the institution's efforts, these couples will support each other and fill their lives with happiness in the future.
Amid the traditional Rajasthani wedding songs, co-founder Kamla Devi and Director Vandana Agarwal, along with the family members and those performing the Kanyadaan, carried out the Haldi and Mehendi rituals. The songs like "Haldi Lagao Ri, Tel Chhadao Ri" and "Banni Ka Gora Badan Damkao Ri" were sung, and both the bride and groom were joyfully applied with Haldi and Mehendi. For example, since Dharamdas from Indore had no hands, Haldi was applied to his shoulders and Mehendi on his feet. Similarly, the bride Sajjan had her Mehendi ceremony performed on her amputated arm.
In the beginning, the President of the institution, Prashant Agarwal, welcomed the Kanyadaniyas and guests, sharing that most of the couples getting married here had undergone surgeries at the institution and received employment training, which set them on the path to self-reliance. He also mentioned that the institution will soon be using world-class, cutting-edge technology for the production of prosthetic limbs, which will make the lives of the differently-abled even easier.
Founder Kailash 'Manav' and Kamla Devi Agarwal blessed all 102 sons and daughters who were about to enter the sacred bond of marriage, wishing them a prosperous future. On this occasion, the parents and Kanyadaniyas were also honored. During the Haldi, Tel, Chandan, and Mehendi rituals, everyone danced and celebrated to traditional songs.
The evening of the first day was filled with energy, as the Women's Sangeet and dance performances brought the place alive with the beats of the dholak.
On the second day, Sunday, at 10 AM, the 51 couples will exchange garlands and perform the Varmala ritual, followed by Vedic chants under the guidance of priests at 51 altars. They will take seven vows around the fire, uniting as one soul and one body for life.