Bhagwat performs Kanyadaan of 125 girls in ‘one mandap'
Varanasi: Busy promoting the idea of 'One temple, one well and one crematorium' for Sanatan unity,
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Chief Mohan Bhagwat sent out a louder message of 'one mandap' by performing the 'Kanyadaan' (giving away of bride) ritual of a tribal girl, Renu and 'pad-prakshalan' (washing feet) of her groom, Akash on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya at Sankuldhara Pond in the city on Wednesday. The event was a mass wedding ceremony of 125 couples from upper, backward, and Dalit sections.
Blessing newlyweds at the event, Bhagwat called for breaking barriers of caste, region and language and focusing on strengthening the family, which is the base of any society. "A strong society is a must to make a nation prosper and ensure world peace," said Bhagwat, praising the organiser for giving priority to the interest of society instead of focusing on the pleasure and celebration of their own and their family by organising this mass wedding.
Bhagwat also talked about the philosophy of family and said a roof above four walls to house a woman as a wife and have children never solves the purpose of making a family. "A family is formed by familiarity, which in turn grows when a girl goes from one family to another and embraces the values and culture there. There is a need to focus on values and culture to turn families into bricks for the foundation of such a strong society, where everyone takes care of the needy and carries forward this tradition." Before the arrival of Bhagwat, wedding processions were taken out at 4pm from Sankuldhara Pond and they culminated at the same venue after going up to Dwarkadhish Temple amidst beats of dhol, bands, DJ and fireworks. As many as 125 grooms from upper, backward and Dalit classes boarded chariots and horses and were welcomed by dignitaries from various sections of society playing the role of guardians. The latter performed the rituals of washing feet of the bridegrooms.
On reaching Sankuldhara, the grooms occupied their allotted place for completion of rituals. The Karmkandi (ritualists), who were from different castes too, started chanting mantras with the arrival of the grooms. It was followed by completing rituals performed before the Sankalpa of Kanyadaan by Sangh's Kshetra Karyawah Virendra Jaiswal, one of the capable Sangh functionaries who avoided holding a reception party after his son's marriage and decided to host this mass wedding for 125 girls from poor families, inspired by the RSS Chief. Around 6.15pm, Bhagwat reached the platform where the chief ritualist was performing the rituals and supervising the entire event. One bride, Renu, from a tribal family of Sonbhadra and her groom, Akash, were present there to represent 125 couples.
Amid the chanting of mantras, Bhagwat performed the rituals of Sankalp of Kanyadaan of Renu and later washed the feet of Akash.
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