KATHMANDDU: At least 1,300 married couples today vowed to become eternal life-partners in what is supposedly the single largest ‘happy marriage blessing ceremony’ ever organised in the capital’s United World Centre.

The couples — newly wed and elderly alike — were administered the oath of wedding by the priests that they would raise their children to the fullest and educate them to become responsible persons in life.

Married couples from across the length and breadth of the country took part in the elaborate mass wedding ceremony organised by Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Nepal (FFWPU-N). The ceremony was also symbolic of reconciliation and consensus against the backdrop of acute political differences among the major parties.

“We want to deliver a message to the leaders that lasting peace begins from a family,” said

Dhruba Prasad Lamichhane, spokesperson of the ceremony.

Founder of FFWPU, Dr Moon Myung Moon is the trend-setter. It must be recalled here that the idea was conceptualised back in 1960, when Dr Sun solemnised the marriage blessing of three couples belonging to inter-religious faith and culture.

On the occasion today, Nepali couples clad in their wedding gown got blessed by nine religious gurus. Dr Chung Sik Young and Mrs Young administered the oath of wedding to the participating couples on behalf of Dr Moon and Mrs Moon.

Minister for Culture Dr Minendra Rijal wished the couples a lasting love and ompanionship.

“I believe that the programme will help us pass the message of peace, unity and solidarity in the country,” Minister Rijal said.