14,000 couples wed in one day in India

NEW DELHI -- As night fell Thursday, India's capital swarmed with weddings as some 14,000 couples tied the knot on a day considered lucky by Hindus.

Tens of thousands of relatives and friends danced in the streets to popular film music as bridegrooms on horsebacks made their way to marriage ceremonies at parks, temples, banquet halls and farmhouses.

"I hope that I reach my wedding on time," a bride named Jaya said as traffic in parts of New Delhi stalled for hours, with buses, cars and motor scooters sitting idle to give way to wedding processions. "I'm afraid that I won't because there are so many weddings tonight."

Another bride, Prachi, said she didn't care if she was late. "So what?" she said. "It's my lucky day."

Hindu priests considered Thursday auspicious because it was the fourth night after the sighting of the new moon and a festival associated with Ganesha, the elephant-headed god.

Second lucky chance

Today will be another busy marriage day, as the wedding anniversary of the god Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic narrative Ramayana.

This nation of 1 billion people is predominantly Hindu, and many parents decide on wedding dates after consulting Hindu priests who determine compatibility by comparing astrological readings for prospective brides and grooms.

The wedding ceremony, which can last as long as five hours, begins with the couple exchanging marigold garlands. They later walk around a bonfire seven times and are declared husband and wife.

A huge feast, singing and dancing mark the occasion, and a middle-class family can end up spending a minimum of $8,780. Dowries are high for parents of brides, and friction over the payments sometimes lead to mistreatment of daughters and wives.