Odisha couple ties knot without 'band, baja, baraat' amid lockdown

A couple from Odisha tied the knot in a simple ceremony ditching their plan on having a big, lavish wedding as the country continues to remain under a lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus disease.

Angul (Odisha): A couple in Odisha’ Angul district tied the knot in a simple wedding ceremony devoid of the usual ‘band, bajada, and baraat’ as the country witnesses its second phase of lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus disease.

The wedding of Binod Kumar Bishwal, son of Dushasan Bishwal of Daura village and Somrani Sahu, daughter of Manoj Kumar Sahu of Madhika village in Baanrapal block, was set to take place in a grand manner on April 15, anticipating an end to the lockdown, but the extension forced them to observe a humble wedding.

Both families had requested the Talcher sub-district magistrate to issue a pass for them to hold the wedding.

The district administration, although granted permission for the ceremony, they, however, asked the families of both the bride and groom to observe “social distancing” and hygiene.

The wedding rituals took place in the presence of five men and a priest at the bride's house.

"The bride and groom are very happy with the wedding. The way the government has put strict rules to prevent corona infections is truly welcome. This is because the only way to prevent corona disease is to keep social distancing," said Manoj Kumar Sahu, the bride's father.

“We had planned a big wedding but had to settle for a humble one to keep everyone safe," said, Dinesh Kumar Biswal, the groom.