Gujarat : Surat groom forgoes designer outfit in favour of Lord Rama’s attire

Surat : On January 22, amidst the national excitement surrounding the dedication of the Ram Temple, a special devotional event took place in Surat. The son of a famous diamond dealer, Raj Monpara, eschewed the traditional groom’s garb in favour of an even more sacred garment—that of Lord Rama.

As Raj stepped into the wedding hall, dressed like a Hindu god, rather than a sharp suit, the onlookers and relatives screamed in wonder. His bearing mirrored Rama’s virtuous character as he wore a crown and held a bow and arrow. “It was absolutely breathtaking!” said Meenakshi Patel, who was a guest at the event. “The entire ambiance seemed charged with devotion, and Raj completely embodied the essence of Lord Rama.”

A convergence of emotions, rather than a whim, motivated this unexpected choice. Months of careful planning coincided, miraculously, with the historic dedication in Ayodhya for the wedding day. “We were ecstatic when the news came,” Raj’s dad Dinesh Monpara said. “The fact that our son’s wedding would coincide with such an auspicious occasion felt truly blessed.”

But what moved Raj the most was the national outpouring of love to Lord Rama. “Witnessing the respect and love people had for Rama, the way the whole country resonated with his spirit, ignited a spark within me,” said the man. “I wanted to be a part of that devotion, not just on a national level, but also on my own special day.”

At first, Raj was going to dress like the son of a rich family—a designer suit. But a change of heart came from the intensity of the Ram Lalla festivities. He shed the lavish outfit and took on the modesty and elegance of Lord Rama’s garments.

The attendees felt strongly about this decision. “It wasn’t just about the clothes,” another visitor said. “It was about the message: that true fulfilment often lies not in material possessions, but in connecting with something bigger than ourselves.”