Tue, December 23, 2008
A government-sponsored mass marriage in India helps poor families who struggle to raise dowry payments for their children.
Altogether 864 couples tied the knot at the mass marriage ceremony hosted by the government.
The Mass Marriage Scheme was launched in India's eastern Jharkhand to help children of poor families get married. It is customary in India to give a dowry to the bride but it's costly for families.
Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Sikh brides and grooms took part in this ceremony, getting married according to their own rituals and customs.
