Chikkaballapur, September 2: As the dry spell continues to plague Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts, superstitious practices have come to the forefront as locals in Karnataka's villages seek to appease the Rain God, Varuna. In rural areas, rituals like frog marriages and donkey weddings are not uncommon. However, a particularly unusual practice has gained attention recently. In a bid to invoke rain, villagers in Hirekattigenahalli, Chintamani taluk, Chikkaballapur district, conducted a 'marriage' between two boys - one dressed as a bride and the other as a groom.

According to the Times of India report, this unusual ritual unfolded on a Thursday night, witnessed by the entire village. The 'couple', two class 5 boys,  received blessings from the villagers and gifts, resembling a typical wedding ceremony. Remarkably, their actions seemed to have a supernatural effect, with rain showering down on the village in less than half an hour, according to Manjunath, an agriculturist from the area. Karnataka: Auto Driver and Women Passenger Get Into Heated Argument Over Speaking Kannada (Watch Video).

The participation of the boys in this ritual was based on the consent of their parents. These symbolic unions, including all wedding rituals like tying the mangal sutra and performing 'aarti,' temporarily relieve villagers amidst the ongoing agricultural crisis. The 'newlyweds' even received gifts and a sum of Rs 1,600, which they shared. Grappling with the persistent dry spell, local residents described such practices as customary whenever the monsoon disappoints. Karnataka Women Fight in Bus Video: Ugly Brawl Breaks Out Between Women Passengers on KSRTC Bus Over Seats.

It's important to note that these young boys do not bear any long-term consequences from this ritual and continue to lead normal lives. A similar unconventional 'marriage' took place in Mogalakuppe village in Chikkaballapura taluk, where two minors were united in wedlock last Wednesday night in their quest to bring rain to their parched land.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2023 10:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).