THRISSUR : Guruvayur came under a thick security blanket early on Wednesday morning as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of dignitaries descended on the temple town to grace the wedding of Suresh Gopi’s daughter Bhagya.
Putting aside all controversies regarding the rescheduling of some weddings at Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple owing to PM Modi’s visit, he greeted eight newly wed couples after having darshan at the temple.
As instructed by the Special Protection Group, the eight couples who got married before the wedding of Suresh Gopi’s daughter, waited outside. They later got an opportunity to meet the prime minister. The couples were given special passes to enter the East Entrance to the temple. After having darshan of Lord Krishna, Modi blessed the couples with flowers and presented them with the ‘Akshatham’ brought from Ayodhya.
According to the close relatives of a newly wed couple from Palakkad, “the marriage got over at 6 am. Then the couples were instructed to remain in front of the East Entrance. Since we didn’t get passes, we couldn’t meet the PM. However, the bride and groom were happy to be blessed by the prime minister on the day of their marriage. They could also click pictures with him.”
Earlier, it was feared that the PM’s visit to the temple would affect the marriages booked on that day. A total of 76 marriages were booked in advance at the temple of which the timing of 48 marriages were changed due to security protocol.
However, following special instruction from the Prime Minister’s Office, the marriage ceremonies were held without any hitches. And the PM met eight couples and blessed them which was a great moment for them.
The wedding of Suresh Gopi’s daughter turned out to be a grand affair as a host of prominent personalities from the Malayalam film industry, along with their families, made a beeline for the temple town.
Actors Mohanlal and his wife Suchithra, Mammootty and his wife Sulfath, Jayaram and wife Parvathy, Vindhuja, Rachana Narayanankutty, Dileep, among others, stood in a queue as PM Modi greeted each of them personally. Modi presented them with the Akshatham brought from Ayodhya and shook hands with them. BJP leader Khushbu was also present. Despite his pressing schedule, Modi took time to exchange pleasantries with Mohanlal and Mammootty. Businessman Gokulam Gopalan was also present.
The actors along with their families reached Guruvayur on Tuesday night itself. Special seating arrangements were made for the invited dignitaries to watch the ceremony at the mandapam. In normal cases, seating arrangements are not made at the mandapam when weddings are held there.
Star-studded event
Actors Mohanlal and wife Suchithra, Mammootty and wife Sulfath, Jayaram and wife Parvathy, Vindhuja, Rachana Narayanankutty, Dileep, among others, stood in a queue as PM Modi greeted each of them personally. The actors along with their families reached Guruvayur on Tuesday night itself.