Chennai: It was a conglomeration of brides and grooms as they converged at a famous temple near here to tie the nuptial knot in the presence of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
Grooms and brides, including differently-abled, hailing from various parts of Tamil Nadu and representing different communities including Adi Dravidar, SC and ST, Most Backward and Backward, entered into wedlock with Jayalalithaa conducting the mass marriage of 1006 couples at the Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman Temple at Thiruverkadu near here.
On the occasion, Jayalalithaa presented 10 gms of gold and silver ornaments, besides 28 type of gifts to the newly married couples, an official release here said.
Blessing the newly married, Jayalalithaa recalled that her party founder and former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had launched the free marriage scheme in 1982.
She said AIADMK along with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department had conducted such marriages when her party was power in 1991 and 2003.
The relatives of the couples were provided accommodation, she said, adding, "my government has made all efforts (to conduct the marriages) just like a marriage conducted by your respective families".
PTI
First Published: Monday, June 18, 2012, 17:25