Amidst the lavish spectacles that modern weddings have become, a couple from Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh, recently set a heartwarming example by tying the knot in a dignified and brief ceremony, shunning traditional extravagance and, most notably, rejecting the specter of dowry.
Manish Das, hailing from Udaipur, exchanged vows with Garima Dasi, a resident of Kareli in Narsinghpur, in a ceremony that lasted a mere 17 minutes. This unassuming wedding has quickly become the talk of the town and serves as a beacon of hope in a society often entangled in the web of dowry demands.
What made this ceremony particularly exceptional was the absence of customary practices such as the haldi ceremony, baraat procession, varmaala exchange, and extravagant feasts. The most significant of all, the saat phere (seven vows), was also omitted as both families wholeheartedly embraced the concept of a simple yet special wedding.
Manish Das and his family stood firm in their stance against dowry. He expressed his belief that if a family is financially well-off, there should be no inclination towards seeking dowry. He emphasized that eliminating dowry from marriages would relieve the burden on the bride’s father, sparing him from falling into the clutches of debt.
Garima Dasi echoed similar sentiments, advocating for simplicity in matrimonial celebrations. She emphasized that the essence of a marriage is not rooted in opulence and extravagance. While the wedding did have guests in attendance, there were no grand feasts or ostentatious displays.
The families of the bride and groom are followers of Swami Rampal and adhere to the Kabirpanthi tradition. They believe that these unique weddings play a significant role in eradicating casteism and the scourge of dowry from society. These marriages are concluded in just 17 minutes, during which the Ramaini is recited, invoking the blessings of 33 crore deities on the newlyweds.
The father of the groom asserted that such weddings hold particular relevance in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. He organized the ceremony in strict accordance with the teachings of his guru, where “Bhakt and Bhaktan” (devotees) tie the knot without the constraints of caste. The ritual involves the recitation of Ramaini for 17 minutes, with the guru’s sacred footwear placed on a small stage, while the bride and groom sit facing each other.
As a token of their blessings, the couple received a gift of Saint Rampal’s book, and a photo session was organized to capture the cherished moments. The groom hailed from a Soni family, while the bride belonged to a Brahmin family, but in the eyes of their community, all followers enjoy equal status.
Haridas, one of the community sevadars, emphasized that parents often harbor grand dreams for their daughters’ weddings. However, their community ensures that weddings take place simply and without the burden of dowry, aligning with their belief in the sanctity of a humble union.
In a world often overshadowed by extravagant celebrations and societal pressures, this unpretentious wedding in Narsinghpur stands as a symbol of hope, promoting the values of simplicity, equality, and the eradication of the scourge of dowry.