Karnataka: Villagers 'Marry' Kids Dressed As Brides, Grooms To Invoke Rain Gods

Last year, two villages in Karnataka took part in similar rain-invoking ceremonies, where two boys were ‘married’ on a full moon day to prompt rainfall.

Across Karnataka, many villages perform unique ceremonies in hopes of ushering in much-needed showers.

Source : Pixabay

As Karnataka faces yet another dry season, the residents of Kari-Keyatanahalli, a small village in Hassan district, have turned to an age-old tradition to summon rain and save their crops. The village, largely dependent on agriculture, particularly ragi cultivation, held a nine-day ritual to appease the rain gods, a practice that has been passed down through generations.

On the final day of the ritual, two young boys, Anjan and Girish, were dressed as a bride and groom to participate in a symbolic marriage ceremony, as reported by NDTV. This practice, which involves only boys playing the roles of both bride and groom, is believed to bring about rainfall soon after its conclusion. The tradition is carried out whenever the crops are at risk due to inadequate rainfall, marking the community’s reliance on ancient customs.

Kari-Keyatanahalli is not alone in holding such rain-invoking rituals. Across Karnataka, many villages perform unique ceremonies in hopes of ushering in much-needed showers. In Pavagada taluk of Tumakuru, the 'jaldi' ritual involves villagers rolling rocks and conducting a procession of the local deity, followed by a puja at the village pond. This act is believed to encourage rainfall, with villagers steadfast in their belief in its efficacy.

Last year, two villages in Karnataka took part in similar rain-invoking ceremonies, where two boys were ‘married’ on a full moon day to prompt rainfall. These ceremonies were conducted in Hirekattigehalli in Chintamani taluk and Mogalakuppe village in Chikkaballapur taluk, further highlighting the deep-rooted traditions followed across the state to seek divine intervention during times of drought.

As the state’s farmers continue to grapple with unpredictable weather patterns, these rituals stand as a reminder of the close connection between agriculture, culture, and faith in rural Karnataka.