Mass weddings intended to create awareness on Hindu culture, traditionsThe Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) would be spending around ₹11,400 on each new couple tying the nuptial knot under its Kalyanamastu (mass weddings) programme all set to be relaunched on May 28. The main intention of the programme is to create awareness amongst younger generations, particularly those belonging to downtrodden and weaker communities, regarding the Hindu culture and marriage tradition. Under the scheme, the TTD will provide a gold ‘mangalasutram’ of one gram and a pair of silver ‘mettelu’ (toe rings) to each new couple besides silk clothes and luncheon for 20 members from both sides. The honorarium of the priest was also fixed at ₹5,116 for 10 couples as against the practice of paying him individually for each couple. To ensure transparency in the spendings, an eight-member committee headed by the TTD Chairman and Executive Officer has been constituted.

Source: The Hindu March 01, 2021 15:27 UTC