Bangalore, June 19: In an effort to usher in good monsoon rains, residents in India's southern city of Bangalore have staged a grand donkey wedding which they hope will please the Hindu gods. Two donkeys tied the nuptial knot at a temple in India's southern Bangalore city on Monday (June 16). Residents of Bangalore say that, according to Hindu scriptures, marrying donkeys help usher in good monsoons. "I have come here to witness the wedding of donkeys. We are praying for rains. We are performing this for the first time in this temple. We need rains, hope Gods are pleased and it rains in Bangalore today," said Manjual, a devotee. Unfortunately, their prayers have not yet been answered as it did not rain in Bangalore on Monday (June 16). Good rains are crucial in India to sustain more than 70 percent of the billion-plus population which depend on agriculture. Needless to say, the locals went all out to appease the rain deities. The donkeys were married off in a traditional Hindu ceremony with careful attention to ritualistic details such as the right wedding attire, the perfect invitation card and the freshest flowers.


Oblivious to the commotion around them, the four-legged pair wagged their tales as a traditional band played and the onlookers sprinkled them with flowers.


The 100-odd guests, each of whom contributed to the marriage expenses were later treated to a special meal prepared at the temple.


As for the rains, though monsoons have hit southern India, Bangalore is still waiting for it's first showers hoping it will rain cats and dogs, and of course, donkeys.


Bureau Report