Berhampur, Feb 3: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana’, a flagship mass marriage scheme of the Odisha government, from the revered Maa Taratarini temple here in Ganjam district.

The initiative is designed to support economically weaker families by covering the entire cost of weddings and providing financial assistance to couples.

Under the scheme, brides aged between 18 and 35 years and grooms aged between 21 and 35 years are eligible. Each bride will receive financial support of Rs51,000, of which Rs35,000 will be transferred directly to her bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. An additional Rs6,000 will be earmarked for marriage-related expenses, while Rs10,000 will be provided in the form of gifts.

The gift package includes sarees, bangles, anklets, toe rings, alta, sindoor, and other traditional bridal adornments, along with household utility items such as utensils, cushions, and vessels. Officials said this comprehensive support is intended to ease the financial burden of marriage while preserving cultural traditions.

The inaugural ceremony at Maa Taratarini temple witnessed nearly 200 couples tying the knot in a collective event. The government arranged all logistics, including venue, rituals, and community celebrations, ensuring that participants faced no financial strain.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister said, “Marriage is a sacred institution, and no family should suffer financial distress to solemnise it. This scheme is designed to bring dignity and relief to thousands of households across Odisha.” He added that mass marriage ceremonies would be organised across the state on fixed dates, in keeping with traditional practices.

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Social activists have welcomed the initiative, noting that it could help reduce dowry practices and promote equality. The choice of Maa Taratarini temple as the launch venue carries symbolic significance, as the shrine is one of Odisha’s most important Shakti Peethas, highlighting the cultural and spiritual roots of the scheme.