Chikkaballapur, 13 August

In a unique ritual to appease the rain gods, villagers of Musturu in Tippenahalli Gram Panchayat of Chikkaballapur symbolically married two donkeys on Tuesday, hoping the unusual ceremony would bring much-needed showers.

The ceremony was part of the 61st annual Madivala Machidevaru jathre held in the village, which has a population of over 200 people, most of them belonging to the Madivala (Savitha) community, classified as SCs. 

The two-day festivities began on Monday with the traditional jatre of Madivala Machidevaru. On Tuesday, villagers performed the donkey marriage, seeking timely and adequate rainfall. They also offered a sheep as a sacrifice to Muneswara, seeking the deity’s blessings and protection for the villagers.

Shalini, a resident, said all families belonging to the Madivala community joined hands to organise the annual festivities. The village was decorated for the occasion, with special focus on the shrines of Madivala Machidevaru.

 “Farmers are eagerly waiting for the rains,” she said. She said the village was also known for its unity, with families living together peacefully without quarrels or disputes.

Such rain-invoking customs are not confined to Chikkaballapura. In different parts of Karnataka and other parts of India, communities have traditionally resorted to symbolic rituals during prolonged dry spells.