Two hundred and sixty one young couples, including six Muslim and three Christian couples tied the knot at the mass wedding in Surat, India.

Asian Image:

The mass wedding was hosted by Indian businessman Mahesh Savani, who has been funding the weddings of fatherless girls in the city of Surat for several years.

Asian Image:

Weddings in India are expensive affairs with the bride's family traditionally expected to pay the groom a large dowry of cash and gifts.

Pictures: AP/Ajit Solanki

Asian Image: