Donkeys Marry To Appease Rain God In India

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Donkeys Marry To Appease Rain God In India

 

July 18, 2006 7:28 a.m. EST

 

 

Ankit Gupta - All Headline News Staff Writer

Tiruchirapalli, India(AHN) - In an unusual prayer for world peace,

residents of Poovalur village near Lalgudi, performed the marriage

of two donkeys in the ancient Sri Thirumoola Natha Swamy Temple.

A male and female donkey were brought to a specially decorated dais

put up inside the temple on Sunday. While the 'bridegroom' was

adorned with a silk dhoti, the 'bride' wore a silk jacket and saree.

 

After garlanding the donkeys amidst chanting of vedic hymns by the

priests, a villager tied the nuptial knot on behalf of the male

donkey, to the female.

 

Over 3000 people congregated at the temple to witness the 'wedding',

which is normally organized in the Namakkal area, traditionally used

for appeasing rain god.

 

The villagers said that the 'Karththvya Vivaham' was organized to

appease the Almighty for world peace, prosperous trade and

agriculture and to remove hindrances in marriages.

 

Later, the 'couple' were taken in a procession through the village.

 

A common wedding feast was also organized in which more than 1,000

people participated. After the rituals, the two donkeys were donated

to the temple.

 

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