Source: Sandhya Times (Hindi)
DELHI, INDIA, February 18, 2002: It was Vasant Panchami. On this auspicious occasion, millions of dollars were spent on around five thousand marriages held in Delhi. Traffic was snarled all over Delhi as a result. The cost of each marriage ran from US$5,000 up to $32,000. Marriages — and traffic jams — will continue through the auspicious days of February 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24, and continue through March 5. Overwhelmed parking attendants at the thousands of marriage venues are duped by car thieves during the festivities, causing a significant jump in the number of auto thefts.