Didn't want to miss auspicious muhurat: Kerala couple ties knot in hospital after groom tests COVID-19 positive

Alappuzha: Time and tide wait for none, not even coronavirus. And this prompted Abhirami to walk down the aisle with her boyfriend at the COVID-ward of Alappuzha medical college and hospital after the groom tested positive for coronavirus a few days back. The girl ditched her traditional bridal wear and tie the nuptial knot wearing a PPE kit as the families did not want to skip the auspicious 'muhurtham.'

The duo got hitched in a hospital ward in a small ceremony in presence of limited family members at a time when COVID cases are spiralling in the southern state. Abhirami, a native of Thekkan Aryad in Alappuzha, donned the disposable wear and get married at a COVID ward at Alappuzha Vandanam Medical College on Sunday. Marking the ritual, the groom, Sarathmon S, tied 'thali', the mangal sutra, and garlanded her with a simple tulsi garland in the presence of his mother, also covid positive and another close relative of the bride at a special room in the ward. Fixed a year ago, the wedding happened on Sunday, after permission from authorities.

Sarathmon, who works in the Gulf, and his mother Jijimol were recently admitted to the hospital after they tested positive for the virus. Though he had placed himself in quarantine after arriving here from the Middle East for the wedding and showed no symptoms for the initial 10 days, the two developed breathing difficulties on Wednesday evening. They tested positive for the virus at a private hospital at Thathampally and were later shifted to the COVID ward of the medical college, family sources said.

As both the families wanted to carry out the wedding ritual on the pre-fixed 'muhurtham' (auspicious time of a day), they approached the authorities with the request to get married at the hospital itself.

Both the district collector and hospital authorities granted permission for the function adhering to strict COVID protocols. In compliance with the health department guidelines, the bride was asked to wear the PPE kit and directed that only one or two relatives should attend the wedding. After the function, Abhirami went back to her uncle's house while Sarathmon continued his stay in the hospital. The couple would begin a new life after the groom turned COVID negative, family sources added.

(With PTI inputs)