Beltangady: As many as 157 couples were united in Wedlock under a mass marriage ceremony in the 41st such programme held this year in Dharmakshetra, inaugurated by Tripura Governor Dr. D.Y. Patil on Thursday.

Dr. Patil praised the initiative taken by Dr. D.V. Heggade in this social service, setting an example to the society at large, to follow.

The couples came from Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, also Kerala.

Dr. Patil reminisced ever his past visit to the pilgrimage centre in 1979. He was now surprised over the local developments in rural service.

State energy minister Shobha Karandlaje was present, and spoke of divorces, while holding that marriage was a sacred bond between individuals.

Dr. Heggade had stressed on marital values in a family, she said. Dr.Heggade also spoke on the occasion, to inform that mass marriages easel the financial burden on poor families.

Several businessmen and Heggade family members were present.