On September 13, the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala hosted 443 weddings, the most on a single day during the last Sunday of the Malayalam month of Chingam, a day traditionally considered auspicious for marriages. The Devaswom posted on Facebook that arrangements were made for the large number of couples.
The ceremonies began at 4 a.m., and 150 marriages were completed within the first two and a half hours. Tokens were issued to each wedding party, and limits were placed on the number of attendants to prevent overcrowding on the temple premises.
Guruvayur Devaswom Chairman A.V. Gopinath, governing committee member M.U. Shinija, and Administrator S. Harigopal led the effort, with Devaswom staff assisting devotees and overseeing proceedings. Six mandapams were set up for the “thalikettu” ceremony, additional staff were deployed, and a traditional musical ensemble was stationed near the venue.
The temple’s eastern entrance was made one‑way to regulate movement and ease congestion. Police and temple guards controlled crowds, and CCTV cameras inside and outside the shrine, as well as across the town, remained operational.
