Indian wedding guest steps in to marry bride after groom disappears

Kanyakumari district, India – the world’s second most populous nation is one steeped in rich tradition which often carries with it deep social significance. While the practice of a bride or groom getting “cold feet” is an embarrassment in the West, it is often followed up with the comment that it is better to have the relationship end before the marriage than after.

That is not the case in India. For a groom to get cold feet and fail to show up for a wedding that has already been planned, the intended bride will be stigmatized for life. This explains why the family of 23-year-old Ponradha was in a panic when her 35-year-old groom failed to return home following an argument with the family the evening before the wedding. Apparently, the family and the groom routinely argue prompting him to walk out on them, but he always returns.

With his absence and the marriage ceremony scheduled, Ponradha’s family went into a panic and a desperate effort was made to find a stand-in groom. A 30-year-old relative of the family, who was in town for the ceremony, stepped up and agreed to marry the young bride much to the relief of her family.

On The Web:
Guest offers to marry girl after groom disappears, family relieved
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Guest-offers-to-marry-girl-after-groom-disappears-family-relieved/articleshow/25846038.cms