INFLATION BROUGHT MAJOR CHANGE IN WEDDING CUSTOMS

INFLATION BROUGHT MAJOR CHANGE IN WEDDING CUSTOMS

1-DEC-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-----------------------To avoid the increased expenses, the tradition of ostentation, and the hassle of preparations, lower and middle-class families are now opting for simple weddings in temples. Four to five weddings are being held daily at the city's Kali Temple, Dumrejani Temple, and Baba Janglinath Mahadev Temple, not with pomp and show.

These days, the wedding season has brought a lot of excitement to Dumraon, but inflation has brought about a major change in wedding customs.

To avoid the increased expenses, the tradition of ostentation, and the hassle of preparations, lower and middle-class families are now opting for simple weddings in temples. At the city's Kali Temple, Dumrejani Temple, and Baba Janglinath Mahadev Temple, four to five weddings are being held daily, not with pomp and show, but with simplicity. The bride and groom's families take seven vows, with God as their witness, and complete all wedding rituals in the presence of a select few relatives. This not only reduces unnecessary expenditure, but also allows families to return to their homes after completing the wedding rituals within the day.

Inflation has taken a deep toll on people's pockets this time. Whether it's purchasing goods or booking tents and musical instruments, prices are skyrocketing everywhere. The prices of gold and silver jewelry have skyrocketed compared to last year, thwarting the bride's hopes. Even peacock feathers, sinhora, and other traditional wedding items have become more expensive. Many families are feeling uneasy at the thought of cutting back on the wedding party, while the groom's side is also worried about the relatives' shopping.

Dumraon market is bustling with activity during wedding season, but many shoppers are hesitant to buy essential items after hearing the high prices. The steep rise in the prices of tents, awnings, hotels, vehicles, decorations, and even band-baja (band-baja) has further increased families' worries. Even the prices of food and vegetables are becoming unaffordable for ordinary people.

This is why the trend of temple weddings has rapidly increased among poor and middle-class families. Many, like Ram Chaudhary, Meena Devi, and Manoj Rajbhar, explained that wedding expenses have increased exponentially compared to previous times. It has become difficult to accommodate everyone, so in consultation with the groom's side, the decision was made to have the wedding at the temple.

Saroj Ram, who married his daughter at the Dumrejani temple on Saturday, says that the temple offers all the necessary facilities. The groom's family also agreed to this simple wedding, which resulted in a stress-free ceremony. In this era of inflation, simple temple weddings not only provide relief from expenses but also send a positive social message: marriage is a bond of love, trust, and simplicity, not of show.