Allahabad saint enters matrimony in style

Allahabad, May 1 (UNI) Tribals armed with bows and arrows, horses, camels and elephants, a procession of 8,000 people and a carcade of 450 vehicles! Yet, the marriage procession of Sant Vigyan Das -- who entered wedlock in this holy city -- was on a much lavish scale than these written words can conjure.

The saint himself was perched atop a 'Shahi Baggi' driven by sturdy horses.

Vigyan Das -- in his mid-thirties married Shivangi -- a few years his junior him on Saturday night.

The procession, said to be three km long, encroached upon most of the serpentine throughfares of the holy city.

Women were seen dancing to the tunes of traditional numbers even as different bands, which participated in the 'event' played music in unison.

The saint heads the Sadafal Ashram with a large number of followers in India and abroad.

It took the 'baraat' four hours to reach the girl's place, while the marriage ceremony was solemnised in the early hours of Sunday.

The 'baraat' was a sight to remember for the people as traditional folk dancers and some 25 bands were entertaining the 'baraatis' and onlookers en route to the ceremony venue.

After completing the long ceremony associated with the holy alliance, the saint claimed marriage was not a violation of the spirituality (adhyatma) he preaches his followers. ''Spirituality does not necessarily mean celebacy.'' His wife Shivangi also took her marriage with a 'sant' sportingly saying she would not miss her 'single' life full of fun and movies.

''Change is the way of life...I am sure I will adopt the change in the lifestyle easily,'' she said with a coy smile.

Vigyaan Das too said the changed lifestyle would teach him a lot.

''There is a lot to learn as so far I have led the life of a bachelor and a saint,'' he observed.

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