SOCIETY

When a banyan tree married the peepal
tree in Uttarakhand Village

     Melaghat Khatima (Uttarakhand): Amid the rhythmic beating of drums and singing, many villagers in Uttarakhand married off two trees in a specially organized wedding ceremony on Sunday. As a banyan tree's branches got entwined with that of a peepal tree, many superstitious villagers read a love story in it and declared them as a "couple". Villagers say, the trees' wedding was organised following an age- old ritual and it would ward off any likely ills. "The tradition of marrying a peepal tree with the banyan tree is very old. I have heard of it but I am watching it for the first time. We are happy that it was organised. It will bring peace and good luck," said Shakuntala, a villager. The wedding was performed at 3.55 a.m. on Sunday amidst a lot of fanfare with a priest reading Vedic verses and carrying out the rituals. The peepal tree, was made as the groom, and the banyan tree, the bride, and both were draped in a white cloth during the marriage ceremony. A feast was also arranged for the villagers who participated in the ceremony. "Dozens of people have come here from far of places to be a part of this. It felt really good," said Nilima, another villager.
-May 13, 2007    

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