As many as 210 tribal couples tied the knot in a mass marriage ceremony, with several political leaders in attendance at Kawada village in neighbouring Palghar district today.
Palghar MP Chintaman Wanga, who attended the programme, said mass marriages usher in a healthy society and will go a long way in avoiding wasteful expenditure involved in organising multiple traditional ceremonies, where liquor flows freely and animals are sacrificed.
Adivasi Gramajyot Yuva Mitra Mandal, which had last year married off 100 couples in a smiliar ceremony, made preparations for wedding of 150 couples this year, but the number swelled to 210, he said.
Brides and bridegrooms, dressed in traditional attire, took part in the ceremony conducted by the priest, with the MP rendering "Ram Ram", as the closing ceremony is known as among the tribals.
Palghar Zila Parishad president Surekha Tethle, who also attended the programme, stressed on the need for organising many more such functions which would immensely benefit the tribals.
Those present in the event included BJP national council member Om Prakash Sharma, Dahanu MLA Pascal Dhanare and BJP's Maharashtra unit office-bearers such as Archana Wani.
