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.
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:
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.