Srikalahasti: The district administration has taken a serious view of the child marriages held in Srikalahasti town every year, especially on the Maha Shivaratri eve, and is all set to crack down this year. The official machinery has geared up to prevent child marriages, something Srikalahasti is notorious for. The age old tradition here is to bring young boys and girls and marry them off at the time when Lord Srikalahastheeswara and goddess Gnana Prasunambika enter celestial wedlock during the Kalyanotsavam ritual. Despite officials making efforts to block child marriages, many adolescent brides and grooms manage to sneak in and get married.
Meanwhile, several couples are getting ready for marriage during the auspicious eve on Friday.
The district administration is maintaining a tight vigil to prevent child marriages. The district administration has taken many steps to check child marriages like establishing check posts on the outskirts and holding awareness meets for parents.
Parents moving around 'suspiciously' with under aged brides and grooms will be counselled not only about the problems of child marriage, but also the legal mess they will get entangled in.
The district administration has also held awareness meetings with the help of village level teams and social activists, across the district especially in and around Srikalahasti, as people from several mandals around the Srikalahasti constituency are likely to try and sneak in, despite efforts by the district administration.
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