Maghamasam is an auspicious month for marriages, according to the Telugu almanac. Most of the marriages are performed this month.

Generally, there are five or six auspicious dates in the month. But this year, there are only a few muhurthams. More than one lakh bridegrooms in the State will tie the knot on February 14 and 15. Venue being the main problem, marriage halls in Tirupati, Tirumala and Annavaram were booked 90 days in advance. “We booked a marriage hall and accommodation for my daughter about five months ago,” said P. Satyanarayana, who is settled in the US and is performing the marriage in Annavaram. There is a heavy demand for purohits also. “I have asked my son, who is a software engineer in Hyderabad, to come here and take up seven marriages,” said Subrahmanya Sastry of Amalapuram.

Mudham beginning on February 17 and lasting till May 1 is treated as inauspicious for performing any function. Hence, the mad rush for Wednesday and Thursday, according to V. Srirama Ravikumar Sarma, a priest from Eluru.

“I have seven marriage invitations to attend on a single day,” said Kolli Satyavardhan Rao, a jewellery trader of Eluru. There is heavy demand for band troupes too.

Cooks, flower decorators, ‘pelli mandapam’ setters, videographers and material owners are having a field day.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by B.V.S. Bhaskar and G. Nagaraja / Rajahmundry -/Eluru, February 13th, 2013