Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 5: Madhura and Damodar are vegans. They therefore followed the vegan system to the hilt at their marriage to show how committed they are to vegetarianism.

Madhura Shenoy Hegde from Mangaluru has been practising vegan style of living from the last two years. Damodar Hegde from Kollam, Kerala, has been following vegan food habits since the last six months. When their engagement took place, they decided together to follow the vegan food system even at their wedding ceremony.

They were aware that they would have to make changes in how they dress, what they consume and serve etc. Both the families supported their plans. Vegans do not use any product that causes sufferings to animals. Therefore, Madhura used saris made of cotton, linen and banana fibre till the reception ceremony. The couple belong to the GSB community where use of corals for Mangalasutra is mandatory. But here, the groom tied white thread dipped in turmeric to the neck of the bride instead of gold and coral-studded Mangalasutra.

The marriage was held near Avarsa, Ankola, in Uttara Kannada district on February 21. Reception was organized here on February 22. All items of food including breakfast were made without using milk and milk products. A well-known catering service here prepared purely vegan dishes and a popular ice cream company made ice cream from tender coconuts to avoid milk. Even for the 'Kanyadana' ritual, tender coconut water was used instead of milk.

The marriage ceremony organised in a simple way came in for appreciation of the people. It may be mentioned here that people following vegan lifestyle totally give up use of things which are associated with animal violence, cruelty, atrocity etc. Milk, milk products, honey, silk, animal pelts, hair, wool etc are not used by the vegans.