KENDRAPARA: In the impact of demonetisation, the people of the district seem to be opting for low-cost marriages in the temples. Following the announcement of the Prime Minister, hundreds of marriages have been solemnised in different temples.
“Our temple saw an overwhelming 300 per cent increase in marriages since November 9 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ban on `500 and `1000 currency notes. We charge `500 as marriage fee from the bridegroom. Within three weeks, 220 youths got married in the temple.
As the people face cash crunch following demonetisation, they have opted for marriages in the temples,” said Balabhadra Patri, Executive Officer of the Baladevjew temple trust in Kendrapara.
At the same time, the priests are having additional income by performing marriages in the temples. “I take only `500 for performing a marriage in temple. On Sunday, I performed marriages of four persons within five hours.
Needless to say, a marriage in a temple is always a low lost affair and the demonetisation has driven many to tie knots in the temples,” said Nabaghan Patri, another priest of Baladevjew temple.
Though the Government has allowed families to draw upto Rs 2.5 lakh in cash from their bank accounts for performing marriages, many banks particularly in rural areas are not allowing the customers to withdraw the amount. Some banks need marriage invitation cards, affidavits and sundry documents to provide the cash. As a result, the cumbersome process has forced many to abandon their marriage plans in hotels, marriage halls and other places.
A large section of the district’s population has praised the Prime Minister’s action to curb the menace of black money. But many parents face a tough time to arrange fund for solemnising marriage of their sons and daughters.
“I ran from pillar to post to get around ` two lakh for the last one week for the marriage of my daughter. But bank and some private money lenders refused to pay the amount.
As a result, the marriage was held in the temple on Sunday. But I am not against the demonetisation move,” said Partha Jena (55) of Kendrapara.
Some hotels and marriage hall owners are also cooperating with the parents of brides and bridegrooms by providing everything on credit.