Bhopal: Covid-19 triggered lockdown in Madhya Pradesh has found unlikely victims: prospective couples. At least 14,000 prospective couples, scheduled to tie knot in April this year, have been forced to postpone their marriages, thanks to 21-day-lockdown imposed in the country since March 24.
As buzz to extend the lockdown beyond April 14 grows, hotels, tent houses and garden wedding venues in different parts of Madhya Pradesh have been flooded with requests to cancel bookings for marriage functions by the hosts.
“At least two dozen bookings for marriage functions in April-May this year in my hotel have been cancelled,” Atul Sharma, chief manager of a five-star hotel here told this newspaper on Saturday.
The families of the prospective couples had booked hotels and garden wedding venues two months in advance and started cancelling their bookings a couple of weeks ago amid buzz that the lockdown period may extend at least by a fortnight till April 30, he said.
At least 14,000 marriage functions, fixed in April-May this year, have been postponed mostly to November-December, M. Notani, promoter of one of the leading event management companies of Madhya Pradesh, told this newspaper.
“My information is that nearly 5,000 marriage functions scheduled to be held on Akshaya Tritiya alone, considered most auspicious day by Hindus, have been deferred,” he added.
Akshaya Tritiay falls on April 26 this year.
According to Bhopal-based astrologer, V Adichobal, Hindu “Panchang” or almanac has barred one-month period of March 14-April 13 for holding any auspicious functions such as marriages, calling it “kharmas” or inauspicious.
Six particular days have been earmarked in the current month after April 13 for holding marriage ceremonies.
In May, eight particular days have been earmarked in the Hindu almanac to hold such occasions.
“Chatumas or four months of inauspicious period will begin in June when marriages are shunned. The next marriage season after May will fall in November- December this year,” the astrologer said.
Hence, the prospective brides and bridegrooms have no other options but to wait for another eight months to be “husbands and wives”.
