In an interesting but unusual instance, villagers solemnized the marriage of monkeys at Mahimamani Jagannath temple in Kuliadia in Orissa.
Orissa (Bhubaneshwar), Mar 6 : In an interesting but unusual instance, villagers solemnized the marriage of monkeys at Mahimamani Jagannath temple in Kuliadia in Orissa.
Villagers thronged the marriage venue for a glimpse of the simian couple.
Both, Manu, the groom and Jhumuri, the bride are three-year-old. Manu hails from Kuliadia village while Jhumri comes from Kesharpur.
Members of the Netaji club and Mahimananda Youth club helped to organise the wedding that was followed by a grand feast.
Pitambar Gochhayal brought an abandoned monkey from a nearby forest and took utmost care of it.
Birendra from a neighbouring village rearing 'Jhumri' started looking for a good match to marry off the simian. His search ended after they found Pitambar's monkey and eventually both the caretakers got the pair married before releasing them in the temple.
"I have taken care of it for one-and-half years. We thought of getting her married in a temple with all rituals, temple," said Mamina, Birendra's wife.
The newly-weds were blessed and plied with gifts, including a gold Mangalsutra, donated to Jhumuri by a businessman Bhagaban Sahu.
The caretakers have spent nearly Rs 200, 000 and the couple was dressed in traditional attire for the ceremony.
The ceremony took place in traditional Hindu style with the couple seeking blessings from their parents and almighty.
Decked up with flowers, sandalwood paste smeared on her forehead and draped in a scarlet sari, Jhumri married Manu in the presence of a large number of guests who were thrilled to witness the marriage.
"We have solemnised the marriage of the simians from two villages in the presence of more than a thousand people. There was a feast that followed the marriage ceremony. The couple also received many gifts," said Buddhu Utsav, one of the villagers. The groom came in a procession like any other wedding to the village temple while amidst music and the beat of drums.
For animal lovers, it was an occasion to cherish since the monkeys were freed after the marriage. By Sarada Lahangir
ANI