What a way to begin life together!

Todays generation is surely smarter than the previous one. The good part is that they seem to be learning pretty well from the mistakes of the past generations. Like being fit, being environmentally conscious, caring for nature, shunning wastage of any sorts, doing away with unnecessary rituals. For the older generation, it might sound way too revolutionary but someone always has to take the first step on this new route.

It was thus very heartening to read that more and more couples, at least in South India are opting for ‘temple’ marriages. This is not in the local, nukkad ka small temple thing but they opt for old, some even 100 years old as a venue for their marriage. The process is simple – the bride and groom, in the wee hours of the morning, in the presence of their close family and friends, usually not exceeding 30 people, get married with basic rituals in the temple. Once the marriage is solemnized, they all either go to a nearby restaurant for a hearty breakfast or sometimes, the temple makes arrangement for the breakfast – a simple fare of idli, vadais and sambar, with a kesari and kaapi.

And mind you, it’s not like a filmi wedding, which has no legality. There are several rules and regulations wherein the couple needs to submit their birth certificates, address proof, age proof, a tahsildar-attested document stating that it is the first marriage for both bride and groom, and a letter of consent from both parents. Once the wedding is done, the temple gives them a certificate, which helps the couple register their wedding.

Wow! If all of India were to follow this method, wont it stop such a colossal waste of money and food? Weddings become the ‘show-off’ point for many, with most parents extending beyond their means and getting into debts. If conducting small weddings became the norm, indeed the girl child will be more welcome. Only hope wedding planners do not get into this also and inflate costs.