Mangaluru : As many as 15 couples of Koraga community entered into wedlock at the mass marriage held at Kudmal Ranga Rao Koraga Community Hall at Kodikal in Mangaluru on Sunday.

Anni, who is pursuing PhD at Kannada University-Hampi, tied the nuptial knot to with Shobha, a graduate in BA, who is working at Lady Goschen Hospital. Koraga community is one of the aboriginal tribes of Dakshina Kannada district. The bride grooms and brides from Aikala, Balkunja, Madumbu , Bajilottu and Kaup families from Kasargod, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada took part in the mass marriage.

The mass marriage was organised under the aegis of Koraga Samoohika Vivaha Samithi to promote simple and traditional marriages among the younger generation. The mass marriage also aimed at preserving the traditions of the community and pass it on to the future generation.

Among the 15 couples, one hail from Kasaragod while seven each hail from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

The brides and grooms, who arrived with their family members, were welcomed with the traditional Koraga community’s ‘Dolu’ and flute recital. After tying ‘Daare Mani’ (mani sara) and “taali,” the marriage concluded. There was no reciting of “mantra,” and show off richness at the marriage.

The senior members of the community wished the couple by reciting good thoughts from ‘Paddana.’ Around 3,500 people had attended the marriage ceremony and were served both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.

A community leader said, “In Koraga community, the groom takes his wedding procession to the house of the bride. Accordingly, here Kudmal Ranga Rao hall was decked for the mass marriage as a bride’s house.”

The Koraga community had taken part actively in organising the mass marriage. From preparing food to mounting Shamiyana, the community members had lent their helping hand.

Mangaluru City Corporation had provided Shamiyana, chairs and made arrangement for the supply of water for the mass marriage, said Samithi Treasurer Ramesh.