- Title: INDIA: India's controversial Yoga Guru helps conduct mass wedding of poor.
- Date: 26th January 2007
- Summary: (L!2) HARIDWAR (JANUARY 23, 2007) (ANI) EXTERIORS OF MASS WEDDING VENUE GROOM COMING INSIDE THE HALL BRIDE PUTTING GARLAND ON GROOM A NEWLY MARRIED COULE COUPLES TAKING ROUNDS OF THE HOLY FIRE (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) BAL KISHAN, MANAGING TRUSTEE, RAMDEV ASHARAM (HERMITAGE), SAYING: "The main motive behind this mass marriage is that we could lend a helping hand to economically backward girls. The other motive was to conduct a traditional marriage free of social evils like dowry and liquor consumption during the ceremony." A COUPLE SITTING DURING THE WEDDING RITUALS IN FRONT OF HOLY FIRE ANOTHER COUPLE SITTING DURING THE WEDDING RITUALS MORE OF THE MARRIAGE CERMONY (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SONIA, A BRIDE, SAYING: "I am feeling very good. My father is a labourer and we have a big family. My father was not in a position to get me married. Ramdevjee (Swami Ramdev) has done a good thing by conducting this wedding ceremony. It was well organised and also against dowry." PRIEST ADDRESSING THE GATHERING PRIEST SHOWERING FLOWER PETALS ON THE NEWLY WED COUPLES GIFTS FOR THE MARRIED COUPLES LYING PEOPLE LEAVING THE VENUE
- Embargoed: 10th February 2007 18:50
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVAC9BLQ1VQS135HKGX2UQ2YLSEU
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Baba Ramdev, a self-styled new-age Yoga guru, organized a mass wedding of dozens of poor couples in the northern holy Haridwar city on Tuesday (January 23).
The marriage dreams of nine poor couples came true in India's northern holy Haridwar city on Tuesday (January 23) thanks to the efforts of a new-age Yoga guru.
The ceremony was organized by Swami Ramdev, a bare-chested guru who wears a saffron wraparound and shawl and is a rage in many parts of the country for his claims to cure illnesses ranging from cancer to AIDS through breathing exercises and traditional medicines.
Organisers said the aim of the mass marriage was to spread awareness against the evil social custom of dowry.
"The main motive behind this mass marriage is that we could lend a helping hand to economically backward girls. The other motive was to conduct a traditional marriage free of social evils like dowry and liquor consumption during the ceremony," said, Bal Kishan, managing trustee, Ramdev Asharam (hermitage).
The bride and groom were married off according to traditional Indian Hindu rituals and were given basic necessities after the ceremony.
"I am feeling very good. My father is a labourer and we have a big family. My father was not in a position to get me married. Ramdevjee(Swami Ramdev) has done a good thing by conducting this wedding ceremony. It was well organised and also against dowry," said, Sonia, a bride.
Ramdev has been at the centre of many a controversy, with activists accusing him of using dubious substances for preparing his medicines.
Many also accuse him of deluding his followers into believing that they will be cured of their illnesses with yoga, who discontinue taking of allopathic medicines.
The Guru, however, says he never told anyone to stop taking medicines, and sticks to his claim that his therapy can cure the worst of the diseases.
The Guru has a large following amongst the young and old who believe that he has amalgamated spirituality, yoga and Ayurveda. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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