Madurai:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's grandson, Dayanidhi, got married to Anusha, daughter of a Chennai based lawyer, at a glittering function in Madurai, as the state's first family celebrated the wedding.
Described as "Seertirutha Tirumanam" (a marriage conducted according to one's self-respect) by Karunanidhi, the wedding was grand in all respects - whether it was feast or the wedding dais.
Watched by a host of dignitaries, Dayanidhi, son of Union Minister M K Alagiri, and Anusha exchanged garlands, given by their grandfather.
Dayanidhi then tied the "Mangal sutra" around the bride's neck even as people shouted "Manamakkal Vazhga" (Long live the married couple). Dayanidhi's close relatives stood around him as he tied the knot.
Later the couple sought the blessings of Karunanidhi and his wife. Tamil Nadu Minister and senior DMK leader K Anbazhagan, who, as per the custom followed in the family, presided over the wedding.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had sent their greetings to Karunanidhi expressing their best wishes for his grandson.
Singh, in his message thanked Karunanidhi for inviting him and said he could not attend the wedding due to busy schedule. He congratulated the couple and wished them all the best. Gandhi also wished the couple a happy married life.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Alagiri's brother M K Stalin, Kanimozhi, MP, and other members of Karunanidhi's family were present.
Former Union Telecom Minister A Raja, who quit over the 2G spectrum scam, was also present.
Those who attended included Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, P Chidambaram, the entire Tamil Nadu cabinet, TNCC chief Thangkabalu, top DMK leaders and other political leaders. Top actor Rajinikanth and others from Tamil film industry were also present.
In addition to Tamukkam grounds, where feast was arranged for VIPs, vegetarian feast with a variety of more than 25 dishes was provided at various wedding halls in the city.
lagiri had arranged free feast to various orphanages and for handicapped, old and mentally challenged people.
The feast, which started early in the morning continued till the evening and party volunteers were seen scaling the hall wall to have a taste of the feast.
Police said over two lakh people had taken the meal on Thursday at different places. The wedding hall with a total capacity of 20,000 people was full. The wedding was shown live on some local cable TV networks.