A major concern looming over many soon-to-weds is the unavailability of halls on shubha muhurtham days to solemnise their marriage this year. With less than 20 auspicious days available until the next year, all major auditoriums and wedding halls have already been booked until February 2010 and in some cases, even till June 2010. Hariharan H M, an astrologer from the Sriram Vedic Vision says, “In November, we have the most auspicious dates — 8, 9, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29. However, in December, there are only five days — 6, 11, 13, 20 and 27. Therefore it is only inevitable that there would be a rush among soon-to-weds to books the mandapams in advance.” Rajeevan from a wedding venue says, “Our halls have been booked on all auspicious dates until February 2010. Fresh registrations can avail of muhurthams only post February.”
The expenses of renting out these halls has not proved as a deterrent for many couples either, adds Rajeevan, “We charge Rs 2.5 lakh for the 1,000-seater auditorium and about Rs 1.5 lakh for the 500-seater. The charges are applicable from midnight to midnight.”
There are also halls, which have been booked beyond June 2010 as well. Venkataraman, manager at the Rani Meyammai Hall says, “Couples need to make their bookings at least six months in advance to avail of the services of a mandapam.”
In fact other wedding planners say that lack of mandapams during the year-end is a major problem faced by many would-be-couples. Nikkita Talreja, a wedding specialist explains, “It’s not just muhurthams and mandapams that people are running short of, even decorators and bridal make-up artistes become a rarity during the peak wedding season.
Many couples who are unable to find auditoriums are settling for resorts and hotels which apart from giving them more space to invite as many people, also provides them with a great ambience as well.”
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