Keralam: Guruvayur temple witnesses highest number of weddings on Sunday

A Day of Record Weddings at Guruvayur

The Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala reported an extraordinary number of weddings on Sunday, with reports converging on a figure above 400. Officials from the Guruvayur Devaswom told reporters that the day saw the highest number of marriages at the temple on a single day, according to several news organisations.

While the exact count varies, with some reports citing 437 weddings and others 416, the Devaswom confirmed that the day surpassed the previous record of 334 weddings set on September 8, 2024. A total of 442 weddings, including spot bookings, had been scheduled.

The surge was attributed to the first Sunday of the Malayalam month of Chingam, which is considered auspicious for weddings. Devaswom Board Chairman A V Gopinath said, "As many as 437 weddings are being held in Guruvayur today. For the first time in Guruvayur's history, this many weddings are being held." In another report, he noted, "For the first time in Guruvayur's history, so many weddings were held."

Ceremonies and Management

Wedding ceremonies began at 4.10 a.m. and continued until 12.45 p.m., with brief intervals when the temple closed for the Ushapooja and Pantheeradi Pooja. According to Malayala Manorama, the temple was closed for Ushapooja from 5.47 a.m. to 6.12 a.m. The first wedding of the day was between Arnav Mohan Kumar of Thalassery and Vidya Anand Raj of Pazhayangadi, with ceremonies subsequently beginning at other mandapams.

Six mandapams were set up in the temple courtyard to handle the large number of weddings. Tokens were issued to each wedding party, and the number of people accompanying the bride and groom was restricted to 24 to prevent overcrowding. Officials reported that more than 60 weddings were conducted every hour across the six mandapams, with around 137 ceremonies completed in the first two hours.

Gopinath credited the public for cooperating with the arrangements, noting that restrictions were imposed on regular devotees coming for darshan to facilitate the weddings at the auspicious time. He also highlighted the security and medical arrangements put in place for the day.

Security and Support

A significant security and support operation oversaw the day. According to India Today, more than 100 civil police personnel were deployed in and around the temple, with the team led by Guruvayur ACP Surendran Mangatt, Temple CI Jayapradeep, and SI Krishnakumar, as reported by Malayala Manorama. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, led by Fire Officer Sajith Lal, were stationed near the temple's inner ring road. Ambulances were on standby, and doctors were present, with the Devaswom Medical Centre operating an emergency camp at the southern entrance, as The Hindu — World reported.

Representatives of the Guruvayur municipality also arrived to support the arrangements. The Devaswom also released a video on social media featuring newlywed couples, adding to the day's documentation.