In view of “Shukra Moudyami” beginning from February 17 and ends on May 2, a couple of lakhs of couples all over the State were entering wedlock by tying the nuptial knot during the three-day auspicious period of ‘Magha Masam’ that ends tomorrow.
According to rough estimates, some two lakh marriages were expected to be performed in the State as people believe the next auspicious days for weddings will only begin after three months.
It may be mentioned here that in Andhra Pradesh ‘Magha Masam’ is an auspicious month for marriages, according to Telugu almanac. Over two lakh weddings, including over 50,000 in Hyderabad alone, are expected to be performed during ‘muhurtham’ days.
Telugu almanac experts said that after February 15, ‘Sukra-moodham’ and ‘Guru-moodham’ will start which is considered an inauspicious period for marriages. That will continue till May second week. Also Ravi (Sun) is in exalted position during these three days and that’s why there is huge rush for marriages,” said Vanaja Rao, founder of ‘Vanaja Rao’, Quick Marriages Pvt Ltd, a marriage consultancy firm.
Almost all the marriage and function halls have already been booked in advance for the marriages in Hyderabad and different parts of the State where people were heading in large number to participate in the weddings of their near and dear ones. Function halls in Secunderabad and other parts of the city charge around Rs 3 lakh for a wedding, however, given the demand for the function halls, managements have hiked charges. Even priests are in huge demand and are busy performing weddings.
According to some priests, there are no other muhurthams in June and July also while others say there are no suitable dates for weddings till October. One Bhaskar Rao from Visakhapatnam, who performed his daughter’s wedding today, said he believes in the ‘muhurtham’ and hurried the event. He said he would not mind spending more due to rush for function halls and other facilities. (NSS)