SOCIETY

Marriage of toads in Varanasi to appease rain gods

     Varanasi: Two toads were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony here today to appease the rain gods and end a dry spell. With temperatures soaring high and monsoons playing truant in most parts of the country, people are praying hard for showers. People cheered, blew conches and sang songs, as the priest solemnized the marriage to the chanting of Hindu hymns by putting streaks of vermilion on the female toad's head. "It is believed that frog marriages please the rain god "Indra" as they live in water. So, to pray for good rains, we conducted the marriage," said Santosh Ojha. "I hope that what they do here will help to bring the monsoon and greatness in the city and all of India," said Jelatin, a foreigner curiously watching the ceremony. The married toads, picked up from different ponds, were released into water after the ceremony.
-June 22, 2005

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