More than 100 tribal couples tied the nuptial knot at a mass marriage event organised in West Bengal's Siliguri city on Sunday.
Organizers of the event said the tribals, mostly poor, could not afford the traditional Indian marriage, which entails huge expenses.
A non-government organisation, working for the welfare for tribal people in Siliguri, decided to organize the event.
The wedding hall reverberated with religious chanting of the priests as the marriages were conducted according to Hindu vedic rites.
The ceremony was organised with great fervor as women performed traditional dance and graced the occasion.
It was a day of joy for the couples as well as their relatives who thronged to bless the newly-weds.
"We do not have money to organize the wedding. After marriage, we will be able to join the mainstream," said Kesto Orao, a groom.
Officials of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, which organised the function, said the main aim was to help marry the tribal boys and girls.
"In Vanavasi society, marriage is an expensive affair and they do not have means to perform weddings. So we have organised mass wedding to give them recognition in the society and that they can participate equally along with others in religious events," said Kamal Pugolia, the secretary of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram.
