Gadhimai temple becoming a popular wedding venue

By Shiv Shankar Mishra,Bara, June 14: Gadhimai Temple, located in Mahagadhimai Municipality-1, Bara, has recently emerged as a suitable venue to tie the nuptial knot.

Not only the people of Madhes Province but also those from neighbouring Bihar state of India, tend to choose this temple to organise marriage ceremonies. 

Locals said wedding ceremonies organised on the famous temple premises save both money and time.

Temple's Chief Priest Mangal Chaudhary said that brides and grooms come from neighbouring districts like Bara, Parsa, and Rautahat in Madhesh Province, as well as places like Raxaul, Adapur, Motihari, Wankatawa and Ghodasahan in Bihar to tie the nuptial knot. 

According to the local Brahmin scholars, a decade ago, wedding ceremonies took almost a day, while temple wedding ceremonies nowadays usually get completed in an hour or two.

Umesh Lal Das, president of the Bara Civil Society, said that temple weddings are becoming popular these days to save time and curtail unnecessary expenses incurred in weddings.

Priest Chaudhary said that four to five weddings take place at the Gadhimai Temple every day. Temple weddings are gaining popularity among both poor and rich couples.

The Gadhimai Development Committee collects donations of Rs. 500 from the groom's side and Rs. 300 from the bride's side as financial support. In return, services such as accommodation, electricity, water and security are provided free of cost, informed committee member Harendra Sah.

Shambhu Sukla, a local, said that the Brahmin priest who conducts the weddings charges between Rs.1, 000 and Rs.3, 000 for a wedding.

Similarly, Dipendra Giri of Birgunj Metropolitan City-11 said that weddings are also held on auspicious days at Birgunj's Gahwa Temple, Radhemai Temple, Geeta Temple and Bindavasani Temple.

Similarly, Shivchandra Pandit Kumhal said that a donation of Rs. 2,100 is charged for conducting a wedding of the Kumal community of Narkatiya village. 

Local Bhupdev Kushwaha informed that there is no fixed standard for the donation for a wedding. 

Govinda Gyawali, who came from Makawanpur, Hetauda, informed that the temple management committee has made proper arrangements for accommodation, a wedding hall and parking at the temple.