Donkeys made to marry to invite rains in Annur village

In a village near Annur, a unique event unfolded as villagers sought relief from the prevailing drought. With drums beating, they adorned donkeys and conducted a symbolic wedding ceremony, praying for rain.
Tamil Nadu is grappling with severe drought, leading to the drying up of hundreds of bore wells in areas like Annur union, Coimbatore district. Rain-fed cultivation has suffered, forcing many to sell their livestock due to lack of fodder. In response, residents of Akkarai Sengapalli, Lakkepalayam, and L Kovilpalayam came together for a town meeting.
Amidst discussions, they decided to perform a traditional ritual known as Pancha Kalyani marriage for donkeys, believed to invoke rain. A female donkey from Lakkepalayam was chosen as the bride, while a male donkey from Kovilpalayam became the groom. Adorned with a sari, bangles, lipstick, and oil, the bride donkey was dressed festively, mirroring the groom's attire.
After inviting the bride and groom, ceremonial items were placed in the temple, and rituals were performed, accompanied by Vedic mantras and drum beats. Villagers showered the donkeys with flowers and rice, celebrating the occasion. A homecoming ceremony followed, with participants contributing money and enjoying a wedding feast of Kamba Kool.
Marrying donkeys for rain is a longstanding belief in the village, rooted in the idea that such unions bring precipitation during droughts. With this recent ceremony, villagers remain hopeful that their prayers will soon be answered with much-needed rainfall.