In Barmer, Rajasthan, on Monday, a wedding 'baraat' caught everyone's attention because it was so unusual. One of the 51 tractors in the 1 km long parade to the wedding location was being driven by the groom. According to ANI, Prakash Choudhary, a local of Gudamalani village, wed Mamata, a resident of Roli village. From the bridegroom's home, the procession travelled 51 km to the village of Roli. On the 51 tractors, there were more than 200 "Baraatis."
The groom's father, Jetharam said, "My wedding procession departed on one tractor, so I got 51 of them for my son". This was also a nod to their work, as they are farmers and tractors are one of their most important tools.
"My family's prime occupation is farming. Everyone is into agriculture. Also, a tractor is considered to be the recognition of a farmer. My father's procession departed on one tractor. So, everyone thought "why cannot there be 51 tractors for mine? ," the groom told ANI.
As the tractor is regarded as the "son of the earth," according to Jetharam, he was able to ensure that there would be 51 tractors for his kid's "baraat" by enlisting the help of his friends and the 20–30 tractors that his family owns.
"A tractor is reckoned 'son of the Earth'. My father's and grandfather's procession went on camels. We already had 20-30 tractors in our family and along with the ones my farmer friends had, I made a note of a total 51 of them. When the procession departed in the morning, 10-12 more tractors joined it. The 'Baratis' said that we do agriculture by tractors, so why cannot we take a procession on it?'
In most cases, a baraat comprises the groom riding a white horse or horse-drawn carriage as the baraatis dance all around him as the processions slowly make their way to the wedding venue. The baraat includes a band as well; occasionally, it may be extravagant, with a DJ joining the processions on a truck.