The ceremony formed part of the seventh mass marriage festival organised under the guidance of spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri. Addressing attendees, the Chief Minister said community weddings help curb extravagant spending and social pressure associated with marriage ceremonies. He urged families to pledge against wasteful expenditure and support collective marriage initiatives.

During the ritual proceedings, Yadav performed mandap pujan and applied haldi to Shastri, who reciprocated in a symbolic gesture. State BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma and other guests also joined the ceremony on stage. Legislator Arvind Pateriya and minister Lakhan Patel were present alongside local representatives and organisers.

Officials said the mass wedding programme aims to support economically weaker families while promoting simple, culturally rooted ceremonies. A short documentary screened at the venue highlighted the personal struggles of selected brides and drew attention to the scheme’s social objectives.

Preparations for the event continued late into the night. Organisers reported that Shastri inspected arrangements around 3.30 a.m. at the Annapurna mandap, reviewing food distribution, security, seating, and gift management. He also joined volunteers in the kitchen, helping fry puris and interacting with workers to assess readiness for the large gathering.

Earlier, spiritual storyteller Ramesh Bhai Ojha inaugurated a Gurukulum facility associated with the temple complex, while local organisers described the festival as both a religious celebration and a social service campaign.

Authorities said the state government may collaborate with organisers to scale up future editions, citing public participation and logistical success. The Chief Minister departed shortly after his address, while ceremonies continued through the evening with devotional music and rituals.