Mass wedding at Padanthorai sees 850 couples begin new lives

In the quiet village of Padanthorai near Gudalur on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, a remarkable story of hope and togetherness unfolded on Sunday (April 5, 2026). The sleepy hamlet turned into a vibrant celebration of unity as hundreds gathered to witness a life-changing moment for many.

A mass wedding organised jointly by the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) and Padanthorai Markaz saw as many as 850 couples from underprivileged backgrounds begin their married lives together.

Reflecting a spirit of inclusiveness, 34 non-Muslim couples were also part of the celebration, with their weddings solemnised at the Padanthorai Mariamman Temple.

A priest leading a marriage at Padanthorai Mariamman Temple on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

The organisers also provided wedding attire for all and gold ornaments for the brides.

For several years now, Padanthorai has upheld the tradition of mass weddings offering hope and dignity to those in need. This year, however, it became part of the centenary celebrations of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama organised by the Sunni group led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar.

Mr. Aboobacker Musliar inaugurated the function. Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama president E. Sulaiman Musliar presided over the ceremony.

A section of the grooms posing for a photo after their wedding at Padanthorai on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

The function brought together plantation workers and labourers from the Nilgiris along with dozens of brides and grooms from Kerala and Karnataka. “This is one of the finest examples of our land’s communal harmony and brotherhood,” said SYS leader Abdul Hakeem Azhari.

Nearly one lakh people, including relatives, friends and well-wishers, gathered to witness the ceremony. A wedding feast was arranged for all.

The crowd that witnessed the mass wedding held at Padanthorai on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

The roots of this initiative trace back to 2014, when scholar Devarshola Abdul Salam Musliar set out to support those struggling to marry due to financial hardships.

What began with 114 couples that year gradually grew into a powerful movement, with similar mass weddings held in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2023. Over the past 12 years, nearly 2,000 couples have married through this initiative.

This year’s event was made possible through a community effort. The organisers raised ₹4.3 crore in just 68 hours through crowdfunding using the Kerala Muslim Jamaat’s Sadaqah mobile app.

“We put forth a simple proposal of ₹1 per person. We launched the app on April 1, and within a day, ₹1 crore was raised,” they said.

Mr. Aboobacker Musliar felicitated Samastha secretary Ponmala Abdul Khadir Musliar for completing 50 years of Dars teaching. Degrees were also awarded to students who graduated from Padanthorai Markaz.