In a unique marriage ceremony, five Hindu and five Muslim couples entered into wedlock according to the traditions of both religions in a show of communal harmony.
"The aim of this programme is not only to promote communal harmony but also to crusade against dowry," District Magistrate TN Singh said.
While a Hindu priest was solemnising the Hindu marriages, a qazi was performing the nikah (signing of marriage contract in Islamic tradition) on the same platform.
The ceremony had been organised by the Indian Welfare Society.
Mathura Municipal Board Chairman Shyam Sundar stressed on the need of organising such programmes at a large scale annually for better understanding between the two communities.
Each couple has been given articles of daily use worth Rs 50,000. Every member of the society observed fast and broke it after the kanya daan was over, Mohammad Naqeem Qureshi, founder of Indian Welfare Society, said.
Mathura is known for its communal harmony since long. The common wall between two shrines (Idgah and temple Keshav Deo) at Sri Krishna Janmasthan bears testimony to the harmony and culture of this pilgrim city.
There are Hindus who observe Roza (fast during month of Ramzan) and Muslims who consume any cereal only after they have bathed in the holy river Yamuna.
{{/usCountry}}There are Hindus who observe Roza (fast during month of Ramzan) and Muslims who consume any cereal only after they have bathed in the holy river Yamuna.
{{/usCountry}}The group had earlier organised eye camps for both the communities.