By: Satyaprakash Dwivedi

Udaipur: For 50 couples, years of struggle, uncertainty and waiting gave way to hope as they gathered in yellow attire at Narayan Seva Sansthan’s Seva Mahateerth campus in Lions Ka Guda, Udaipur, for the opening of the organisation’s 47th mass wedding ceremony.

The two-day free wedding programme for persons with disabilities and economically disadvantaged young men and women began on Saturday amid traditional rituals, music and celebrations.

The ceremony opened with the installation and worship of Lord Ganesha, followed by traditional haldi and mehendi rituals. At 11:15 a.m., all 50 couples took their places on a stage decorated with yellow flowers. Sansthan founder and chairman Padma Shri Kailash “Manav,” co-founder Kamla Devi, president Prashant Agrawal and director Vandana Agrawal joined special guests in formally inaugurating the celebrations.

Guests participated in the haldi and mehendi ceremonies, while wedding songs, dance performances and traditional music created a festive atmosphere.

Service contributors were also honoured during the programme. Former Indian Army commander B.L. Bandhan of Agra and Rajesh Kanjani of Argentina, among others, were felicitated with turbans, ceremonial scarves and mementos.

The evening featured a cultural programme showcasing Indian traditions. Performances depicting Radha-Krishna, Hanuman, the nine forms of Goddess Durga and Lord Ram highlighted themes of love, devotion, strength and righteousness. Wedding songs and dance performances added to the celebrations.

The main wedding ceremony will take place on Sunday at 11:15 a.m., when the 50 couples will solemnise their marriages according to Vedic rituals and take the traditional seven vows around the sacred fire. Narayan Seva Sansthan will also provide each newly married couple with essential household items to help them begin their married lives.

According to the organisers, each couple has a story of overcoming challenges, including disability, financial hardship, loneliness and difficult social circumstances. For them, the ceremony represents more than a wedding—it marks the beginning of a new chapter built around companionship, dignity and hope.

Guests also visited the newly constructed World of Humanity facility at the Sansthan, where they toured various service projects, interacted with patients undergoing treatment and learned about the organisation’s rehabilitation and support initiatives for persons with disabilities and people in need.