PUDUKKOTTAI: Talk about making a grand entrance. Last year it was a groom in Punjab who arrived at his wedding in a chopper and last week residents of Aranthangi in Tamil Nadu were left gaping as a bridegroom arrived by helicopter—hired for Rs15 lakh a day, with an additional Rs 50,000 for each take off—for his betrothal.
The bride was later taken to the groom’s house, where the wedding was scheduled to take place, in the same chopper. Arumugan and Kannagi, a couple from SR Pattinam, a small, sleepy hamlet near Karaikudi in Sivaganga district, had settled in France four decades back. The couple have two sons and a daughter, and their younger son Gowthaman’s marriage was arranged with Banupriya, daughter of Shanmuganathan, a retired deputy block development officer of Ezhil Nagar, Aranthangi.
The wedding was scheduled for October 30 at SR Pattinam, and the betrothal was held a day before at Ezhil Nagar. To everyone’s surprise, Gowthaman flew to the bride’s house in a helicopter, accompanied by his parents. A huge crowd of onlookers gathered at the spot to watch the spectacle. The crowd had been waiting since 9am around the helipad, erected close to the bride’s house near the Aranthangi Government Hospital, though the groom arrived only at 12.10pm. The helicopter was hired from Glider Aviation Private Limited in Chennai.
In addition to the operating costs, two helipads were erected at SR Pattinam and Aranthangi at a cost of `15 lakh. The betrothal was held between 12.45 pm and 1.30 pm and the bride and groom left for SR Pattinam in the helicopter by 4.30 pm. Relatives said that Gowthaman was working as a legal consultant and translator at a European Court. It was his parents’ wish to conduct his wedding in a grand manner, the relatives added. An artificial marriage hall was also erected in their farmhouse at SR Pattinam with extensive lighting arrangement.
The bride’s relatives said 100 kg of flowers of various varieties were showered from the helicopter during the wedding ceremony. Earlier, the helipad was inspected by a team of rev enue officials. Fire and Res cue Service vehicles and ambulances were stationed close by. Following the groom’s arrival, the public and police took photos on their cellphones. Cops were present in full strength around the helipad.