MAHARISHI VISHWAMITRA MASS MARRIAGE A HISTORIC EVENT

MAHARISHI VISHWAMITRA MASS MARRIAGE A HISTORIC EVENT

28-MAY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-----------------------The district's historic Qila Maidan (Fort Ground) bore witness to the grandeur of the Maharishi Vishwamitra Mass Marriage Festival. Organized in a truly royal fashion, this two-day ceremony saw the marriages of 21 underprivileged daughters solemnized with full traditional rites and Vedic chants. The magnificence of the event, the cultural programs, and the massive crowds that gathered transformed the entire city into a festive zone.

A grand wedding procession (Baraat) set out from the Qila Maidan, led by a convoy of 21 white luxury cars. At the very front of the procession, the air resonated with the sounds of brass bands, DJs, and traditional drums (Dhol-Nagaras). Following closely behind, Bhojpuri superstar singer and actor Arvind Akela ‘Kallu’—along with the festival's convener, Om Ji Yadav—rode in an open vehicle, waving and greeting the crowds.

The magnificent procession departed from the Qila Maidan and wound its way through Veer Kunwar Singh Chowk, Ramrekha Ghat Road, PP Road, Thatheri Bazar, and Main Road, before finally returning to the Qila Maidan. Throughout the entire route, massive crowds of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the procession. At various points along the way, people welcomed the procession by showering it with flowers.

An exquisite wedding *mandap* (pavilion) had been erected on the Ramlila stage located within the Qila Maidan, where the marriages of the 21 newlywed couples were solemnized amidst full traditional rituals and Vedic chants. Dignitaries from the local district, as well as from several neighboring districts, arrived to offer their blessings to the brides and grooms.

A grand cultural program was also organized during the ceremony. The event featured performances by numerous renowned singers, actors, and artists from the Bhojpuri entertainment industry—including superstars Ritesh Pandey, Ankush Raja, Ashok Mishra, Vinay Mishra, Arvind Akela ‘Kallu’, ‘Little Star’ Aryan Babu, and singers Anupama Yadav and Shivani Singh—who entertained the audience from the stage until late into the night. The entire Qila Maidan remained packed to capacity with spectators.

The *Haldi* and *Mehendi* rituals were performed at the Goyal Dharamshala, located in the vicinity of the Qila Maidan. Additionally, a massive community feast (Mahabhandara) was organized, in which thousands of people partook of the *Prasad* (sacred food offering).

On the first day of the two-day festivities, a continuous 24-hour *Akhand Harikirtan* (devotional chanting session) was held at the Kila Maidan. Subsequently, a blood donation camp was organized at 4:00 PM, where a total of 55 individuals—including Arvind Akela ‘Kallu’—donated blood. During the *Devi Jagran* program held late in the evening, artists from Banaras and Prayagraj captivated the devotees and moved them to a state of spiritual ecstasy with their renditions of devotional songs.

Omji Yadav, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, stated that newlywed couples were presented with gifts comprising beds, trunks, wardrobes, sewing machines, mobile phones, utensils, clothing, and various other household essentials. Omji Yadav remarked that, thanks to the cooperation of all sections of society, this event has achieved historic success. He further announced that next year—during the winter season—weddings for 51 underprivileged young women would be solemnized with even greater grandeur.