8,000 couples tie knot at Kalyanamastu programme in AP

Tirupati, Nov 2 (UNI) Amid chanting of slokas by priests, about 8,000 couples got married today at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) sponsored 'Kalyanamastu', free mass marriage, held at TTD Kalyanamandapams and other selected venues in all the 294 constituencies across Andhra Pradesh.

According to a TTD press release, this was the fourth round of the 'Kalyanamastu' programme, which was launched in February last year, as an effort to strengthen the Hindu marriage system and and to ensure less financial burden on the couples tying the knot.

On the occasion TTD gifted the couples free mangalasutrams, silver 'mettelu' and a pair of clothes, the release said.

In Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, PCC President D Srinivas, Home Minister K Jana Reddy, Finance Minister K Rosaiah, Civil supplies Minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, TTD Chairman D K Audikesavulu Naidu, TTD Executive Officer K V Ramanachary, BJP President Bandaru Dattatreya, Judges, MLAs and MLCs attended the wedding of 120 couples performed at the Lalita Kala Thoranam, the release added.

The Governor and the Chief Minister presented the mangalasutrams to the newly-wedded couple and blessed them.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said the 'Kalyanamastu' programme was a historic event in the country and the mass marriage a solemn event.

In the earlier three phases of 'Kalyanamastu' programmes, about 19,140 couples tied the knot over a span of two years, the release added.

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