While Mumbai was recently hit with it’s first monsoon shower, other parts of India still remain untouched by the rain. Summers have completely taken a toll over India, and nothing can prove it better than the desperate attempt to make it rain made by the residents of Udupi in Karnataka. The people of Udupi arranged a frog wedding complete with Mangalsutra and lunch, to please the rain gods.
#WATCH Frogs married in Karnataka's Udupi to please the rain gods. The frogs were dressed in custom made outfits for the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/s9I4rLT0Tu
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2019
What’s It?
While you still Netflix and chill alone on weekends, a group of people in Udupi, Karnataka decided that the best way to deal with a drought was by holding a wedding ceremony for two frogs. That’s right, on June 8th the Udupi Citizen’s Forum conducted a Hindu wedding ceremony for two frogs named ‘Varun’ and ‘Varsha’.
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The frogs were brought in from different villages and inspected at the Department of Zoology in Manipal before tying the knot. They were dressed in custom-made outfits and the female frog was even given a toe ring and a mangalsutra.
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Wedding invitations were sent across the town and guests were invited to offer prayers to the rain god for a downpour. Over a hundred guests attended the ceremony which was followed by lunch.
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The frogs were then sent on a “honeymoon” to Mannapalla, a village near Manipal, where they were released.
What’s More?
Here is how twitter reacted to the wedding of the year:
Now, a frog wedding in Udupi to ‘appease rain god’, complete with mangalsutra and lunch. Two unwilling frogs forced into marriage by humans, my colleague says https://t.co/XC9aXJxcsp
— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) June 9, 2019
Did they took mutual consent of both frog’s before making this marriage ?
— Lokesh (@lokesh_169) June 8, 2019
Ladka kya karta hai?
— Ravi Mishra (@G33kBoyRavi) June 8, 2019
Looks like an arranged marriage,frogs don’t seem excited.
— Erza Scarlet (@jellalovee) June 8, 2019
While people might find this ritual strange or funny to say the least, it is common for people from remote parts of India to part-take in such superstitious rituals when it comes to fighting drought. Over the years people have done everything from stripping naked to please the rain gods to participating in a frog dance to ensure enough rain for the season.
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While, post-wedding the weather does forecast rains in Karnataka, it is up to you to decide ‘weather’ it is just a lucky coincidence or Varun and Varsha’s holy matrimony did please the rain gods.
First Published: June 13, 2019 5:11 PM