KARACHI — A festive and heartwarming scene unfolded at Karachi’s Railway Ground on Sunday as 76 Hindu couples began married life together at the 19th Combined Marriages Ceremony organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) in collaboration with the Dr Prem Kumar Sital Das Memorial Trust.
Despite the chilly weather, the venue was filled with colour, music and celebration as wedding parties — including couples, families and guests — arrived from different parts of Karachi as well as interior Sindh. Organisers announced that a total of 126 couples are being married under the initiative this year, with arrangements made for 50 couples to wed in their respective cities and villages, while 76 ceremonies were held in Karachi.
The rituals began later than scheduled as organisers waited for all participants to arrive safely. When asked about the auspicious timing, priest Maharaj Jai Kumar Trivedi responded with a smile, saying the “mahurat” would be when everyone had reached the venue. He had arrived as early as 10am to oversee preparations for the 75 cabins and the main stage, ensuring that each mandap was properly arranged with traditional elements such as sacred fire, rice, coconut and betel leaves.
Each cabin bore the names of the bride and groom, while one couple — Priya and Sagar from Saddar, Karachi — were chosen as the model couple to perform the ceremony on stage before the audience. The remaining couples followed the rituals simultaneously by watching live proceedings on large screens.
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A visible contrast was noted between couples from Karachi and those who had travelled long distances from interior Sindh. Many of the latter arrived carrying luggage, blankets and quilts to cope with the cold. One couple from Sukkur drew smiles and laughter due to their names — Benazir and Badshah — while others from Umerkot and nearby districts reflected the programme’s wide outreach.
PHC Patron-in-Chief and senior parliamentarian Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani mingled with the couples, recalling that over the past 19 years, he has helped solemnise the marriages of around 1,850 brides. Calling the initiative a blessing, he thanked supporters including Pakistan Baitul Mal, banks and various organisations for sustaining the programme over the years.
Wedding parties arrive at beautifully decorated venue of Railway Ground from all over Sindh. https://t.co/BsVh00DNn8
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 12, 2026
Managing Director of Pakistan Baitul Mal, Senator (retd) Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt, also attended the ceremony and addressed a common misconception. He clarified that Baitul Mal’s welfare support is not limited to Muslims and is available to citizens of all faiths.
The combined marriage ceremony once again highlighted community solidarity and collective support, offering dignity and joy to families who might otherwise struggle to meet the financial burden of traditional wedding celebrations.
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