INDIA: IT'S CELEBRATION TIME IN INDIA AS OVER 12,000 COUPLES WED ACROSS NEW DELHI

Record ID: 1371987

  • Title: INDIA: IT'S CELEBRATION TIME IN INDIA AS OVER 12,000 COUPLES WED ACROSS NEW DELHI
  • Date: 26th November 2003
  • Summary: (L!3)NEW DELHI, INDIA (NOVEMBER26, 2003) (ANI) VARIOUS OF MARRIAGE HALLS (L!3)NEW DELHI, INDIA (NOVEMBER27, 2003) (ANI) (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) ACHARYA SHYAM TRIVEDI, PRIEST AND ASTROLOGER, SAYING: "It is a Thursday and this day marks the special confluence of the planets Brahaspati (Jupiter) and the chandrama (moon). It signifies that the time is best for matters of the world or those related to the senses. All the 16 stars that govern a man's worldly life, particularly marriage, are linked in the best possible way, this is why in these days there are maximum number of marriages." (L!3)NEW DELHI,INDIA (NOVEMBER 26, 2003) (ANI) VARIOUS OF SHOPPING PLAZA WOMEN LOOKING AT CLOTHES MAN SHOWING SAREES (A FIVE-METER DRAPE WORN BY WOMEN) HEAVILY EMBROIDERED SAREE WOMEN LOOKING AT GOLD ORNAMENTS ORNAMENTS MORE OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT ORNAMENTS (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) P.P SINGH, A JEWELLER, SAYING: "The prices of gold are at a very high rate this time but still customers are coming in hoards, there is absolutely no dearth in demand. There is a definite 25 percent surge in our sales since last year because of the massive rush." (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHARAT MADAN, A BRIDE-TO-BE, SAYING: "I think it's quite costly compared to what I expected it would cost. It's more than I expected but then...now my budget has to be enlarged." NEW DELHI, INDIA (NOVEMBER27, 2003) (ANI) MARRIAGE VENUE BEING DECORATED MAN DECORATING ROOF OF TENT VENUE BEING PREPARED MORE OF THE PREPARATIONS WOMEN GETTING MAKEUP DONE AT A SALOON MORE OF WOMEN GETTING READY AMBIKA PILLAI, BEAUTY EXPERT, DOING THE MAKEUP OF A BRIDE-TO- BE BRIDE GETTING READY ANOTHER BRIDE GETTING READY (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMBIKA PILLAI, BEAUTY EXPERT, SAYING: "The beauty business has been fabulous this month, actually every bridal season time its really good but this year, there are very few dates and everything happens to be in the month of November so it's thriving completely." (L!3)NEW DELHI, INDIA (NOVEMBER 26, 2003) (ANI) MUSIC BAND PLAYING PEOPLE DANCING GROOM MORE OF MARRIAGE PARTY GROOM AND BRIDE SITTING TOGETHER MORE OF THE PARTY
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2005 22:30
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: People
  • Reuters ID: LVAE9XH0INME7KOY85FYDAD1BWPE
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: It's celebration time in India as over 12,000 couples wed across New Delhi Indian marriage Gods have probably never been busier.
    Over 12,000 couples across New Delhi will tie the nuptial knot on what Hindu astrologers and priests have described as the most auspicious day for weddings in 12 years. While every nook and cranny of the city is being decked up for one ceremony or the other, priests are working overtime, juggling their almost unending appointments.
    Acharya Shyam Trivedi, a priest explained that most Hindus would never give up a chance to ensure that the planets favored their conjugal bonds. Trivedi said that it was after a long time that the governing planets of matrimony had formed such a unique confluence making the day so lucky.
    "It is a Thursday and this day marks the special confluence of the planets Brahaspati (Jupiter) and the chandrama (moon). It signifies that the time is best for matters of the world or those related to the senses. All the 16 stars that govern a mans worldly life, particularly marriage are linked in the best possible way, this is why in these days there are maximum number of marriages,"
    Trivedi said on Thursday (November 27).
    Trivedi added the favourable convergence would continue through Saturday and if estimates by local astrologers are to be believed at least 20,000 more people would have wed by then.
    And it's not just the young couples who are thanking the stars, the massive rush to get married has led to an almost sudden spurt in business for the marriage industry.
    Garment makers and jewellers in particular have seen a 20 to 25 percent rise in sales this season.
    Gold, an absolute essential for any Hindu marriage, has been at its peak rate but the marriage stars have ensured that the cash registers kept ringing.
    "The prices of gold are at a very high rate this time but still customers are coming in hoards, there is absolutely no dearth in demand.
    There is a definite 25 percent surge in our sales since last year because of the massive rush," P.P Singh, a jeweller said.
    Sharat Madan, a bride-to-be, who was busy making last minute additions to her trousseau, said she had little choice but to expand her budget as few would like to compromise on the most special occasion of their lives.
    "I think it's quite costly compared to what I expected it would cost. It's more than I expected but then...now my budget has to be enlarged," Madan said.
    Marriages in India are expensive affairs, running into anything between a few hundred thousands to a billion rupees. Besides gold and dowry, which are gifts presented to the bride from her family, a large chunk of it is spent on marriage venues. As over-booked hotels turn away people, it's boom time again for the tent-house owners.
    Most are conducting over four marriages a day and with a single makeshift structure costing a minimum 60,000 rupees, the profits have definitely been good.
    The God's have, however, apparently smiled the most on the beauty industry, which has been the biggest winner with over 45 percent jump in profits.
    Beauty saloons are jam packed with one bride after another getting herself made up for the d-day.
    Even the breathtaking charges, a half-hour makeup session with at an up- market saloon costs over 8,000 rupees, thrice the monthly income of a poor family, have not slowed down the look-good rush.
    Ambika Pillai, who runs one of the capital's most popular beauty saloons said business was fabulous.
    "The beauty business has been fabulous this month, actually every bridal season time its really good but this year, there are very few dates and everything happens to be in the month of November so its thriving completely,"
    Pillai said.
    Amongst Hindus the wedding season usually runs from May to mid-December, with the bulk of ceremonies taking place once the monsoons are over.
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