Belthangady : The 42nd free mass marriage ceremony held at the Amritavarshini Hall of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala on May 2, Thursday, saw nearly 180 couples tie the nuptial knot.

Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala distributed sarees to the brides and dhotis and shawls to the grooms earlier in the day. Kannada actor Devaraj and his wife Chandrakala, advocate Billappa, Jayaraman, Managing Director of Birla Company, Meenakshi Jayaraman were present as chief guests.

The grooms tied the mangalasutra around the necks of their brides at the muhurtam at 6.40 pm.

Among others present were Tripura Governor Dr DY Patil, former minister Shobha Karandlaje,  scholar Satnam Neeraj Jain and Vinod Hamirwasia, President of Birla Cements.

Those who tied the knot included people from all walks of life  including labourers, journalists, lecturers, businessmen. Even a few couples from Kerala tied the knot.

The Kshetra spent Rs 9400 towards each couple including Rs 6500 towards the cost of Mangalasutra, Rs 450 towards saree, Rs 200 for dhoti and shawl, Rs 300 for religious rituals  and food for 20  members  from the family of each couple.