Wedding industry keeps its fingers crossed for an upswing in Karthika, Mrugashira months

Hubballi: The Covid-19 crisis turned this year’s summer into a protracted lean spell for the wedding industry, which suffered enormous losses owing with most such occasions either being pared down to spartan events or being deferred. However, the traditional ‘Big Fat’ Indian weddings might probably make a return in the coming Karthika and Mrugashira months in the Hindu calendar. The two months are considered auspicious for the holding of important ceremonies such as a wedding. However, since the number of ‘muhurthas’ - auspicious hours – available in the ensuing months are only 23, and most families are keen on having weddings held in the propitious hour, wedding planners are rushing to book halls.
GV Hiremath, manager of Sri Rambhapuri Veera Gangadhar Samuday Bhavan in Hubballi, said that there was a huge demand for booking the convention centre in the month of Karthika. “But we are not confirming any requests owing to the possibility of the government imposing restrictions on such events. We will confirm booking of the hall only in October or November. We are also appealing to parties to ensure adherence to the norms prescribed by the government,” said Hiremath.
Subhas Koti, who is consulted for the finalising the muhurtha, admitted to being flooded with people seeking him out for his expertise. He said that the fear of the Covid-19 infection had reduced considerably among the people since most of them understood the necessity to take precautions to stay safe. “People in North Karnataka are also hoping for a vaccination for Covid-19 to be rolled out by November or December,” Koti added.
Sources in the industry said that halls and convention centres had been booked for most of the muhurthas in the Karthika and Mrugashira months. Caterers, photographers and videographers who have also been affected owing to the prolonged lull in activity are hoping for an upswing.
Proprietor of Vinayak Photography Vinayak Pujari said that, he had been contacted by a few prospective customers hoping to engage his services for weddings. “We are hoping that this will, to some extent, offset the lossess we have suffered owing to the pandemic,” he said.