437 weddings at Guruvayur on Sunday, highest ever in a single day

Guruvayur (Thrissur): A total of 437 weddings are scheduled to be held at the Guruvayur Temple on Sunday, setting a new record for the highest number of weddings conducted at the temple in a single day. The previous record was 344 weddings, held on September 8, 2024.

Six wedding mandapams have been arranged, with ceremonies scheduled to begin at 4 a.m. Given the expected rush, additional temple attendants have been deployed.

More nadaswaram and thavil musicians will also be present to provide the traditional wedding music. Couples have been asked to report at the designated counters at least 30 minutes before their scheduled ceremony.

Wedding parties must arrive at the walkway south of the Melpathur Auditorium. Entry will be restricted to 24 people, including the bride, groom, close relatives and photographers.

Couples must produce the wedding booking document and Aadhaar cards of both the bride and groom at the counter. During the thalikettu ceremony, five or six people, including the parents and family members of the bride and groom, will be allowed to enter the Kathirmandapam along with the couple.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their family members must return to the southern walkway via the area south of the Deepasthambam.

A trial run of the arrangements was conducted on Saturday in the presence of the chairman, governing body members and deputy administrators. Guruvayur ACP Surendran Mangad said 100 additional police personnel have been deployed around the temple. Chief security officers Subrahmanyam Swami and Sunil said 45 additional security personnel have also been deployed.

Around 1,000 tulsi garlands for the couples

With 437 weddings scheduled, around 1,000 tulsi garlands will be required for the brides and grooms. Members of traditional temple families are busy preparing them.

Under the supervision of Rajesekharan Warrier of Thiruvengidam Variyam, Shyam Sundar, Unnikrishna Warrier, Mohana Pisharody, Balakrishna Pisharody and Prasanna Unnikrishnan are involved in making the garlands.

Around 500 kg of tulsi leaves have been brought from Tamil Nadu for the occasion. Garlands are usually prepared in a room near the temple’s Gopuram Office. However, with a larger number required on Sunday, the Devaswom has arranged a special space inside the temple premises for the work.

No roadside parking; one-way traffic to be enforced

Vehicles will not be allowed to park along the inner and outer ring roads on Sunday.

If the Devaswom’s designated parking facilities are insufficient, the grounds of Sree Krishna School and the Devaswom English Medium School will be opened for parking.

One-way traffic restrictions will be strictly enforced on the inner and outer ring roads, except for two-wheelers.