Mass Marriage Ceremony

Ever since Amma started giving solace to the suffering, She has helped poor families arrange marriages for their daughters. In India, marriage presents great difficulties for poor parents, and the problem is endemic. Amma knows well their dilemma, and so during the Amritavarsham50 Celebrations, She decided to perform a mass marriage for couples unable to afford a proper wedding.

With sacred lamps flickering amidst golden bridal ornaments, vibrant flower garlands and the matching brand new silk dhotis and elegant gold-trimmed silk saris worn by the young couples, the scene shimmered like a vast jewel. The stage was large enough so that all of the fortunate couples could sit around Amma as She personally led the wedding's ritual steps. This involved the couple symbolically garlanding and feeding each other, applying sandal and kumkum to each other's foreheads, waving the arati flame before one another, and holding hands and circumambulating each other.

After the traditional ceremony, Amma gave darshan to the newlyweds. The couples then retreated to a specially designated area where a reception including a sumptuous wedding meal was served. Smiles and joking amongst the new husbands and wives marked the transition from formal ceremony to casual and relaxed celebration.

Spectators Saraswati Ramachandran and Usha Pradeep expressed their delight at Amma's idea. "This decision is very nice. We appreciate it very much," they said. "So many people want to get married in this way . Nowadays it's very hard to conduct a marriage because of the dowry expenditure and the cost of the ceremonial function. So many common people do not get married because of dowry."

After reviewing hundreds of responses solicited in newspaper announcements, the M. A. Math chose over 150 deserving couples for the ceremony. Those getting married in this way by Amma must agree not to seek dowry. The families of the prospective bride and bridegroom must have agreed upon their marriage, and separate consent letters from the mother and father of both parties must accompany applications, along with an attested copy of the family income certificate from the tahasildar .

When asked how they felt about the idea, Saraswati and Usha replied, "Because it is taking place in the Divine Presence of Amma, the marriage will always be good. Through their lives the couples will receive all the blessings of Amma."

Others agreed. "The dowry system prevails here [in India] . unmarried daughters in poor houses is a prevailing fact," said V. Sreedharan from Thiruvanantha-puram. "The poorest of the poor find it very difficult to meet marriage expenses. This will open the eyes of other organizations or charitable institutions and inspire them to follow Amma's guidance. "Sreedharan believes that "this is not only a blessing, but a real help to poor parents."

Amma has promised that more such weddings will be conducted, and K. Chandran believes that a greater social change may result from this project. "This is an indication to society that something is to be done."

Amma provided each couple with the items necessary for a traditional Indian wedding, including gold marriage rings and necklaces, a marriage dhoti for the grooms and marriage sari for the brides, flowers and other essential items - just like an attentive and loving Mother!