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CNN Live At Daybreak

Wedding Days: Thousands Wed in India

Aired November 28, 2003 - 05:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: In India, Hindu priests and astrologers alike look at today and yesterday as two of the country's holiest and best days for marriage. Now that call sent thousands scrambling for a November wedding.
Suhasini Haidar has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUHASINI HAIDAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hindu Priest Pandit R.K. Sharma wouldn't dream of shortening the rituals at this elaborate wedding ceremony. But the truth is, he has no time. It's the first of at least half a dozen weddings he will conduct on this day. Astrologers say Thursday and Friday mark the most auspicious days they have seen in decades.

PANDIT R.K. SHARMA, HINDU PRIEST (through translator): This is very special time, according to Hindu scriptures, two major gods were married under the same alignment of the stars. Marriages made now will be very successful.

HAIDAR: In the rush to make the holy wedding window, an estimated 12,000 couples will exchange vows in Delhi alone. And bridal bazaars here are bustling. Groom-to-be Reginald Pandwar (ph) says he can't wait to wear his traditional turban, and he doesn't mind sharing his special day with thousands of others.

"What can we do," he shrugs, "we have to abide by the wisdom of the priests as is our culture."

Also part of the culture here, big expensive weddings.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN (through translator): It isn't like other countries, people here like to invite many guests. It's a chance to show off their wealth.

HAIDAR: Chadra (ph) says about 80 percent of his business, selling saris and fancy Indian wear comes during the wedding season. This month alone he says he has sold more than 15,000 bridal saris and he is thrilled.

(on camera): Less happy are Delhi's traffic cops. They are telling residents who aren't invited to a wedding to stay off the roads and avoid this cosmically induced wedding crush.

Suhasini Haidar, CNN, New Delhi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 28, 2003 - 05:57   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: In India, Hindu priests and astrologers alike look at today and yesterday as two of the country's holiest and best days for marriage. Now that call sent thousands scrambling for a November wedding.
Suhasini Haidar has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUHASINI HAIDAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hindu Priest Pandit R.K. Sharma wouldn't dream of shortening the rituals at this elaborate wedding ceremony. But the truth is, he has no time. It's the first of at least half a dozen weddings he will conduct on this day. Astrologers say Thursday and Friday mark the most auspicious days they have seen in decades.

PANDIT R.K. SHARMA, HINDU PRIEST (through translator): This is very special time, according to Hindu scriptures, two major gods were married under the same alignment of the stars. Marriages made now will be very successful.

HAIDAR: In the rush to make the holy wedding window, an estimated 12,000 couples will exchange vows in Delhi alone. And bridal bazaars here are bustling. Groom-to-be Reginald Pandwar (ph) says he can't wait to wear his traditional turban, and he doesn't mind sharing his special day with thousands of others.

"What can we do," he shrugs, "we have to abide by the wisdom of the priests as is our culture."

Also part of the culture here, big expensive weddings.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN (through translator): It isn't like other countries, people here like to invite many guests. It's a chance to show off their wealth.

HAIDAR: Chadra (ph) says about 80 percent of his business, selling saris and fancy Indian wear comes during the wedding season. This month alone he says he has sold more than 15,000 bridal saris and he is thrilled.

(on camera): Less happy are Delhi's traffic cops. They are telling residents who aren't invited to a wedding to stay off the roads and avoid this cosmically induced wedding crush.

Suhasini Haidar, CNN, New Delhi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com