Bhubaneswar: As many as 110 couples tied the knot in a grand mass marriage ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. Organized under the state government’s flagship Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, the event provided a dignified and financially assisted platform for brides and grooms from economically weaker backgrounds facing challenges in arranging weddings.
The marriages were solemnized according to traditional Vedic rituals, with all 55 pairs sharing a single mandap in a collective yet sacred setting. The couples took solemn oaths, holding hands and pledging companionship for seven lifetimes.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida personally performed the ceremonies, blessing the newlyweds and symbolizing the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and dignity.
She said The mass wedding ceremony held at the historic indoor stadium in Cuttack is a historic day in terms of our government’s commitment to protecting the dignity and self-respect of women.
She said, “We need to take a pledge to improve the status of women, prevent child marriage, promote widow remarriage, eliminate gender inequality and reduce the gap between boys and girls,”
“I congratulate the 55 couples who tied the knot today, she added. On behalf of women and child welfare department, I thank the Chief Minister Mohan Majhi for giving us the opportunity to organize such a great event as Kanyadaan”, Parida said.
This event marks the second phase of the scheme, following the inaugural mass marriage in Ganjam district. Similar ceremonies were also held in Sundargarh on the same day, expanding the initiative state-wide.
Launched earlier in 2026 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana offers substantial aid—typically around Rs 60,000 per eligible bride—to ease marriage expenses, promote dowry-free unions, encourage marriage registration, and support widow remarriages.
Newly married couples expressed immense joy and gratitude, describing the scheme as a “blessing” that helps prevent the social evil of dowry while fostering healthier family foundations. One couple shared, “This initiative builds a strong, equitable society by removing financial barriers.”
The government has allocated approximately Rs 12 crore annually for the scheme, with a total provision of around Rs 60 crore over five years (2025-26 to 2029-30), ensuring widespread reach for deserving families.
