THRISSUR: The Guruvayur temple witnessed an extraordinary Sunday as a record 416 weddings were solemnised within a span of just over seven hours.
The wedding marathon took place on the auspicious occasion of the first Sunday of the Malayalam month of Chingam.
Commencing early at 4.10am and concluding at 12.45pm, the event comfortably broke the temple’s previous single-day record of 334 marriages set on September 8, 2024. Out of 442 scheduled registrations—which included spot bookings— 416 couples exchanged vows on the day.
The record-breaking ceremonies were officially launched when Guruvayur Devaswom Board Chairman A V Gopinath lit the traditional lamp at mandapam number 1 near the eastern entrance (Kizhakke Nada).
Accompanied by traditional mangalavadyam music, the first wedding was solemnised between Arnav Mohan Kumar (from Thalassery, Kannur) and Vidya Anand Raj (from Pazhayangadi). Ceremonies unfolded simultaneously across five other designated mandapams. Marriages proceeded continuously, pausing briefly only when the temple doors were closed for regular rituals like Usha Pooja (5.47–6.12am) and Pantheeradi Pooja.
To manage the massive influx of wedding parties and devotees, extensive multi-agency arrangements were put in place. Key members present at the eastern entrance included Devaswom Board members C Manoj, Manoj B Nair, and M U Shinija; deputy administrators Pramod Kalarikkal and M Radha; PRO Vimal G Nath; assistant manager A V Prashanth; health supervisor M N Rajeev; and security supervisor Subrahmanyan.
Over 100 civil police officers provided round-the-clock security across the temple complex under the leadership of Guruvayur ACP Surendran Mangatt, Temple CI Jayapradeep, and SI Krishnakumar. Fire and rescue services personnel led by Fire Officer Sajith Lal were stationed near the inner ring road. A dedicated medical camp was set up at the southern entrance. Guruvayur municipal chairperson Sunitha Aravindan and vice-chairperson K K Jyothi Raj also visited the venue to oversee civic coordination and offer support.