Desperate villagers in an Indian region hit by droughts have held a wedding ceremony for
frogs in a bid to appease rain gods.
The amphibian ritual took place in the village of Dibrugarh in the north eastern Indian state of Assam.
Villagers perform the ceremony to try and bring rainfall during dry spells.
Villagers perform a wedding ceremony between two frogs to pray for rain and good harvest
Ranjan Das, one of village leaders who attended the wedding, said: 'Our region had not witnessed much rain this year so far.
'So we arranged the wedding of two frogs to please the rain Gods.'
The ritual began by catching hold of a male and a female frog from two different villages.
'We have to make sure that the frogs have been brought from two different villages. Only then will the rain Gods accept our plea,' said Das.
Bizarre: Villagers who took part in a wedding ceremony of frogs in the village of Dibrugarh, India
Villagers said there had not been rain in the area this year so they arranged a wedding ceremony for frogs
Pukka up: The male frog during the wedding ceremony in India where there has not been any rain
The two frogs were dressed up and adorned with traditional colour. The female frog was even gifted a chain
'After that, we sit for the ritual and perform the wedding just like we do our own.'
People from around four villages attended the bizarre marriage ceremony on Sunday, 27 June, which
lasted six hours.
Das said more than thousand people were present at the wedding, which was held in the local park.
The two frogs were dressed up and adorned with traditional colour. The female frog was even gifted a
gold chain by the villagers.
More than s thousand people were present at the wedding, which was held in the local park
People from around four villages attended the bizarre marriage ceremony yesterday
After the ceremony was over, the frogs were taken to a small pond nearby and let go
'Traditional prayers were recited by the saints who conducted the wedding. It was a joyful affair,' said attendee Paromita Gogoi.
After the ceremony was over, the frogs were taken to a small pond nearby and let go.
Villagers then proceeded to eat dinner, where more than 900 plates of food were served.
'We let the frogs go, so that they can live their life and convey our message to the rain Gods,' added Gogoi
'This ritual is performed as a last resort measure. And thanks to God, our wishes come true,' said Gogoi.
It seems the prayers of the villagers were answered - it began raining across Dibrugarh this morning.
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