GEORGE TOWN: Churches and temples are seeing a rush in bookings for weddings and marriage ceremonies until the end of the year after the government eased restrictions for these events from today.

       Some churches even reported receiving wedding bookings today.

       A couple here are hoping it is third time lucky, having postponed their engagement twice this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Technical manager K. Janarthanan, 31, and teacher Dhivyah Arumugam, 27, are glad they can now have their engagement ceremony on Oct 24 after the government allowed such rites in temples.

       They will register their marriage on Oct 16 before celebrating the big day at Murugan Temple in Sungai Ara on Oct 31.

       “It’s certainly music to our ears that traditional marriage rites are now allowed at temples and churches.

       “Ours was supposed to be held on April 17 but it did not take place.

       “Although it was postponed to August 29, we decided against having it at the last minute due to a spike in Covid-19 cases then.

       “We are glad that everything seems to have fallen into place now.

       “We hope to pull off all three occasions this month – our marriage registration, engagement ceremony and wedding,” he said.

       Janarthanan said he is still waiting for the latest standard operating procedure to be announced.

       “With the old SOP, we were told that only 30 people could attend our wedding ceremony.

       “But if the new SOP allows for a larger crowd, I would be glad to invite more relatives and friends,” he said.

       Earlier, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Hindu and Christian marriage rites would be allowed under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) starting today.

       He said Hindus would be able to carry out the thaali-tying wedding ritual in temples while Christians could hold marriage ceremonies in churches.

       He added that the National Unity Ministry would inform Hindu and Christian religious associations of the SOP that needs to be complied with during these ceremonies.

       Committee members of the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Waterfall Road said there had been 30 bookings for marriage rites at the temple until the end of the year.

       “Many people on the island prefer our temple due to its unique and traditional ambience.

       “We expect to get the latest SOP from the Hindu Sangam tomorrow (today).

       “Hopefully, it will allow for more people to attend the temple ceremony,” said temple trustee Dr A. Narayanan.

       At the St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam, church deacon Rev Lazarus Jonathan said there had been 14 marriage-related bookings until the end of the year.

       He said two weddings would take place at the church today.

       “We are glad that weddings can finally be held but we haven’t received the new SOP.

       “For now, the old one will still apply for all weddings,” Jonathan said.

       One of the couples – businessman Vinny Necent Vinsan, 30, and call centre operator Vahini Sivananthan, 29 – said it would be too late to invite more friends and relatives to witness their big day today.

       “We will abide by the old SOP – that is only 12 people will be attending the wedding as we are not sure of the new one and we cannot change our preparations at the last minute,” said Vinny.

       Meanwhile, there are five weddings planned at the Church of the Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary in Butterworth.

       “We are still waiting for details on the SOP before setting a date for the wedding ceremonies,” said Pastor Dominic Santhiyagu.