Hindu, Christian, Muslim couples say 'I do'

Bhilwara, Jan 4: Marriage sews up a couple for a lifetime has been heard umpteen number of times by one but what is out of the ordinary is when by sheer dint of it different communities find a common thread among themselves and band together.

The spirit that India professes oneness of mankind came alive when 159 couple from Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities tied the knot under one roof at an ashram in this district of Rajasthan.

Baba Balaknath Ashram in Parsarampura village, about 52 km from the textile city, helped 11 Muslim, three Christian and 145 Hindu couples come together yesterday in probably the first event of its kind in the state.

Balak Nath, priest of Balaknath Ashrma, said they had taken out an advertisement in the paper, inviting interested couples, cutting across religious and caste barriers. The reponse was overwhelming but most couples chosen were from the marginalised sections of society, he added.

The wedding venue at the ashram, situated along the Mansi river, was a rare scene of national unity and religious harmony as Hindu priests, Muslim Qazis, and Christian priests chanted their respective holy verses.

A 20,000-strong crowd had assembled to watch the unusual sight.

Bhim Singh, a resident of the village, said: ''This kind of event is being held for the first time here, although the ashram has been in existence for the last 10 years.'' He added:''Such affairs definitely highlight India's religious tolerance and harmony among its different communities.'' Balak Nath informed the ashram would also construct a room for couples, no matter where they lived.

The ashram also did not let down the groom's families as they arranged a sumptuous dinner for all.

Baba Balaknath Ashram has a number of followers across the country and mainly is a health centre giving out medicines to the poor and the needy.

UNI