Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Four hundred couples tied the knots at the largest Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur -- Thean Hou Buddhist temple, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

The date that comes only once in a century could literally translates to "eternal love" in Mandarin.

The mass wedding ceremony was conducted in Buddhist rites and solemnised by a high priest along with several other priests who chant prayers to bless the newly weds.

Adding the numbers in 11.11.2011, its the auspicious number 8.

While a few believe getting married on the triple numbers would bring them a lifetime of luck and fortune, the rest did it just because its a nuptial date they can never forget.

"November 11, 2011 is an extraordinary date I am getting married on the day my fiance is turning 26," said Luo Jia Wan.

He proposed to Zhang Hui Fang last year on the same date.

"The pairs of number 1 means eternal love, although it is not our anniversary, the date reminds us for the rest of our lives that we tied the knots on 11.11.11," said Chen Jia Wen and Lee Jing Ling.

The wedding organisers said the youngest registered for marriage on Friday was 18 years old while the oldest was 47.

To spice up Friday`s wedding, the temple gave away prizes that included two classic cars and honeymoon packages and gifts to the newly-weds.
Xinhua/H-AK

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011