Chhota Udepur (Gujarat): Indian weddings are full of customs, rituals and unique traditions. However, in this tribal village in Gujarat, weddings happen without the groom's presence and the bride gets to marry his unmarried sister!!
The unique tradition is believed to be passed on from generations by the tribals themselves.
Ironically, the best part about their wedding is the absence of the groom from any wedding rituals. The groom cannot attend his own wedding and must stay home with his mother, fully dressed up in 'sherwani' and holding a traditional sword.
His sister or any other unmarried woman from his family represents him in the ceremony.
The infamous 'barat' ceremony will have the groom's sister leading the procession to the bride's door, marries her and brings her back.
Even the 'Mangal Fera' ceremony, which consists of the couple taking circles around the sacred fire, will be done by the bride and the sister.
"This practice is followed in three villages here; it is believed that if we don't follow this custom then some harm will befall," Kanjibhai Rathwa, a local resident said.
The villagers believe that people who do not follow the tradition, they will end up with broken marriages or other family issues. Pundits are of the opinion that this unique tradition reflects the tribal culture and is a part of their folklore.
According to the folklore, the male deities of the three villages were bachelors and in order to show them respect, the villagers keep their grooms at home, thereby protecting them from any harm.
Whether such rituals are superstition or not, unique tribal traditions keep the flavour of marriage intact even in modern times.
