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Indian man holds 'wedding' for monkey couple | Indian man holds 'wedding' for monkey couple |
(about 2 hours later) | |
More than 200 villagers in northern India have attended an elaborate Hindu wedding ceremony for two monkeys. | |
The wedding was organised by the owner of the monkeys, who said the male was "like an adopted son" to him. | |
The ceremony took place on Monday evening in Bettiah district in Bihar state, with the "bride" dressed in an orange frock and the "groom" wearing a yellow T-shirt. | The ceremony took place on Monday evening in Bettiah district in Bihar state, with the "bride" dressed in an orange frock and the "groom" wearing a yellow T-shirt. |
Monkeys are revered idols in Hindu mythology. | Monkeys are revered idols in Hindu mythology. |
The 13-year-old male monkey named Ramu and his bride, a female monkey called Ramdulari, were taken in a procession on top of a flower-bedecked SUV, accompanied by music and dancing. Hundreds of villagers lined the route to greet the "couple". | The 13-year-old male monkey named Ramu and his bride, a female monkey called Ramdulari, were taken in a procession on top of a flower-bedecked SUV, accompanied by music and dancing. Hundreds of villagers lined the route to greet the "couple". |
Udesh Mahto, a daily wage worker who has three sons, said Ramu was "like my eldest son". | Udesh Mahto, a daily wage worker who has three sons, said Ramu was "like my eldest son". |
"I wanted to marry him off first," he told BBC Hindi. | |
Mr Mahto brought Ramu from Nepal about seven years ago, and later bought Ramdulari from a village fair. | Mr Mahto brought Ramu from Nepal about seven years ago, and later bought Ramdulari from a village fair. |
"Initially they didn't get along well. But later they began liking each other, so I decided to marry them off," he said. | "Initially they didn't get along well. But later they began liking each other, so I decided to marry them off," he said. |
A local Hindu priest Sunil Shastri "solemnised" the wedding. | A local Hindu priest Sunil Shastri "solemnised" the wedding. |
"Initially I was wary of performing a monkey wedding, but I later relented after seeing that Mr Mahto was serious about it," he said. "We picked an auspicious day and time for the ceremony." | |
Wedding cards were printed and a band was hired to play at the wedding. Guests were served a feast. | Wedding cards were printed and a band was hired to play at the wedding. Guests were served a feast. |
Many people from neighbouring villages turned up to see the procession and take pictures which they posted on social networking sites. | Many people from neighbouring villages turned up to see the procession and take pictures which they posted on social networking sites. |
In 2008, some 3,000 people turned up for a similar "wedding" of two monkeys in eastern Orissa state. | In 2008, some 3,000 people turned up for a similar "wedding" of two monkeys in eastern Orissa state. |
The two monkeys, who were kept in chains, were released by their owners after the marriage. | The two monkeys, who were kept in chains, were released by their owners after the marriage. |
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