Robinson, a native of Coimbatore, and Priyanka, a resident of Munnar in Idukki tied their knot at Tamil Nadu-Kerala border on June 7, 2020. Robinson appeared from the Tamil Nadu border, while the bride, Priyanka, walked from the Kerala side. The Chinnar check-post and forest officials in Kerala’s Idukki district set the mandapam and checked sanitisation for the unique wedding. The officials rolled out a cloth mat as the mandapam on the road, in front of the check-post office, and arranged lamps and fruits for the wedding.
To ensure physical distancing protocols, the families of the bride and the groom had to stand away from the couple. The wedding took place at the border as it was not possible for all family members to get passes and anyone travelling to another state, will have to follow home quarantine for the next two weeks. (Source: The News Minute)
While they watched from a slightly afar, the check-post officials stepped in when it was muhurtham (auspicious time). TNM also reported that the wedding took place between 8.30 am and 8.45 am on Sunday. The officials handed the sanitised garlands to the couple, and then the thali (wedding chain), but not before giving Robinson some hand sanitiser to clean his hands. (Source: The News Minute)
The Details of Wedding
“There was no priest for the wedding. The health and excise officials provided the garland to the bride and groom,” said Abdul Majeed, Junior Health Inspector, Marayoor Health Centre, ensuring the wedding followed all the necessary COVID-19 protocols. (Source: The News Minute)
Abdul Majeed, junior health inspector, Marayoor Public Health Centre was present at the wedding venue. According to the official, the groom’s party comprised of 12 members, while 25 people came from the bride’s family. Both the parties reached the border to witness the unique ceremony. (Source: News18)
Due to the border restrictions, Priyanka had to take the luggage that she had carried along. She waved to her parents from far as she walked away from the mandapam, with her husband, towards the Tamil Nadu border. “That was a sad moment for us,” Priyanka’s father Shekar told TNM.
