Mumbai: Marriages may be made in heaven but solemnised underwater, believe 28-year-old Chandan Thakoor and 25-year-old Dipti who would be tying the nuptial knot underwater on June 23.

The marriage will take place as per Hindu rites with an ex-Naval commando-cum-priest conducting the marriage underwater with chanting of hymns, mantras and completion of seven pheras and even the sacred fire, according to Captain Partho Das, director of the Marine Centre (Navi Mumbai).

The marriage would be conducted amidst the grand sets of an elaborate temple, all set up underwater. "The sets were being handled by art director Nitin Desai and are akin to the sets used in the film Devdas", he said.

The 30-minute-long marriage hopes to break the current record held by a Thai couple who conducted a marriage underwater for 10 minutes, Das said.

"The bride and groom were short-listed among a number of names suggested because of their background. Both are members of an adventure club and are active in outdoor sports.

The duo had met three years ago in Ladakh during an adventure trip and had been going steady since then. They were all game to the idea of having a marriage underground, says Ravi Kulkarni, a marine commando, who would be officiating as a priest at the wedding.

Kulkarni, who hails from a family of priests, says he had brushed up his mantras and had been studying the marriage rituals for the past few months for the purpose.

The marine centre is holding the event as part of its underwater event, Das said. PTI