Dharmasthala : The 47th free mass marriage at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala held on Sunday, 29 April.

Over 131 couples got married during the auspicious godhuli lagna at 6.40pm. The couples received marriage goodies from Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade. The brides received sarees, and the grooms – a dhoti, shawl and shirt.

The couples went on a grand procession, circled the temple before heading for Amruthavarshini hall, where their marriage was sanctified.

Sandalwood actor Kichcha Sudeep and the Heggade couple – Veerendra and Hemavathi handed over mangalsutras to the couples.

The couples vowed to be with each other in happiness and in sorrow and in good and bad times. They promised deity Lord Manjunatha and Veerendra Heggade not to fall prey to vices that could affect their marriage.

Mass marriages are intended to promote social equity. Heggade said that around 23 of the 131 marriages that took place were intercaste. Heggade advised the couples to lead honest lives.