In India, Go Marry a Tree

In 2007, rumours has it that the well-known Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai was married to a tree. The lucky “groom” was peepal in holy town, Varanasi and banana tree in Bangalore, South India.

Aishwarya is considered a “Manglik” because her chart bears the planet Mars . It is believed that “Manglik Women”is unfovaourable for marriages, causing discomfort and bring bad luck for her new household. The negative consequences can be resolved if the “Manglik Women” performs a ceremony called “Kumbh Vivah”... when she marries a tree or a mud pot. Right after the marriage ceremony is over, the mud pot must be crushed to indicate that the women is now a widow.

However it’s not proven yet... but Indians are known for their superstious belief. And marrying a tree has become a tradition in Dharhara village, Bihar state in northern India. Here, the bride has to first “marry” a mango tree, before the actual nuptials. Although this might seem strange, it is believed that the mango tree will be her guardian.

On the wedding day, the bride will tie a sacred red scarf around its trunk and embrace the tree by resting her cheek gently againts its rough bark. After the ceremony over, she can marry a real person – the man who will be her husband.
In Dhardara, every parent should plant mango at the birth of every baby girl. The idea is that by the time she grows up, the revenue from the fruits of the tree will help to secure her dowry and expenses for the wedding.
Director Kunal Sharma made a documentary movie called “Mango Girls” about this strange yet fascinating tradition.

(Source: indianetzone.com, fridaymagazine.ae)