Donkeys wed in ritual for rain

Krishnagiri: On Sunday, a group of Krishnagiri villagers arranged for a strange wedding between donkeys, an ancient ritual seeking rain.

As the southwest monsoon is getting delayed, the villagers believe that the donkey wedding would please the rain god and bring showers to their region.

“The donkey marriage is held in the belief that it would bring rain,” said K. Madesh, 55, the village headman of Thokarai village, in Denkannikottai taluk of Krishnagiri district.

He added that two donkeys - bride Brindha and groom Murugan – entered wedlock in the presence of the villagers who contributed more than Rs1 lakh for the ritual.

Priest R. Mani, 40, who tied the nuptial knot on behalf of the groom around the bride’s neck, said, “Great care was taken and the rituals were similar to the ceremonial wedding performed for human beings.”

The priest explained that the animal was dressed in the right attire and a traditional band was used. The newlywed ‘couple’ received the blessings of the villagers after the thali was tied around the bride’s neck.

Then the newlywed donkeys were taken out in a procession around the village. The wedding drew to a close with a big wedding feast that was spread out for also the ‘bride’ and ‘groom’.