Tribals in Dhondha call for their rain God's attention by a wedding of frogs
2
3
Raipur: A unique wedding took place some time ago in a remote village of Surajpur district in the absence of rain— not between humans, but between two frogs.
The ceremony, steeped in centuries-old belief of a tribal community, was performed to appease the rain God as monsoon clouds remained elusive over the region.
The male and female frogs were adorned in miniature bridal attire, their union solemnised with rituals identical to a human marriage, complete with dance, a wedding procession, music, and the beating of traditional drums. Villagers from Dhondha and neighbouring hamlets thronged the venue, dancing and singing in celebration with women performing main rituals and singing folk songs.
Tribal women can be seen in videos, decked up for wedding rituals and holding the frogs in covered copper vessels, singing and dancing.
Among the Gond and Oraon tribal communities of Chhattisgarh, such ceremonies are rooted in the belief that marrying frogs can invoke the God of rain, to bless their parched fields.
"When the skies remain dry, we turn to our deities in the ways our ancestors taught us," said Ramesh Kerketta, a village elder. "The frog wedding is symbolic, it's nature calling to nature to save us from drought and bring rain." Dozens of them participated, treating the event with both reverence and festive enthusiasm.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Uthiru: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You)
Sofas | Search Ads
Search Now
Undo
The croak couple, now bound in a sacred "pact of rain," was later released into a nearby pond, a gesture symbolising the union's connection with water.
Such rain-invoking rituals are still practiced across Chhattisgarh, reflecting a deep intertwining of tribal beliefs, agrarian life, and seasonal rhythms. While meteorologists forecast scattered showers later this week, villagers say the frog wedding has already lifted spirits, and they're hopeful the clouds will now oblige.
Surajpur district has received normal rain this monsoon till now, with 847.4 mm rainfall from June till date, weather department officials stated in a report.
Yet there are many patches in such regions that remain parched, just like Dhondha village.
Speaking to TOI, prominent tribal leader and former Union minister Arvind Netam said, "Tribal communities have a rain God of their own, whom they call upon through weddings of frogs.
It happens in almost all tribal-dominated villages and is part of several traditions directly related to nature."
He said that the rituals are part of life now and the communities continue with a belief that their offerings, prayers were accepted.
"Be it trees, forests, woods, land, river, everything is worshipped by tribals without any interference of any other religion." he added.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
"Thought he'd just be a hometown hero": LeBron James' wife Savannah James recalled her early expectations of the NBA icon
LeBron James' wife opened up about his success.(Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty) LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James, have continued to show the world how they have been committed to each other for more than two decades. Their love story began when they were just teenagers and today, LeBron James and his wife are one of the most popular and loved couples in the world. While LeBron James credits his wife, Savannah James, for the success he has seen, his wife actually never thought he would make it this big. LeBron James' wife, Savannah James, spoke about how it she never thought the NBA legend would achieve so much in his career A few years ago, LeBron James' wife, Savannah James, opened up about their love story to Harper's Bazaar and their teenage lives. As she spoke about their unplanned pregnancy when they were 16 years old, Savannah James also discussed how she never thought LeBron James would be the king of NBA one day. Savannah James said, 'the tallest date in school…I just thought he'd be a hometown hero for his era and it would be over. He was a normal high school senior.' But it seems something else was written in LeBron James' destiny as the 40 year old star player is now considered to be one of the most popular and talented athletes in the world. While LeBron James might have earned billions and is easily the most popular player, his commitment towards his family never changed. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do You Remember Brad Pitt's Son? Take a Deep Breath Before You See Him Again 33 Bridges Undo by Taboola by Taboola Till date, the 40 year old NBA icon has always credited his wife, Savannah James, and his family for his achievements. LeBron James and Savannah James are thankful to the Cleveland Cavaliers It's Giving.. Everybody Gang || Everybody's Crazy Podcast In 2024, Savannah James also spoke about how the star couple was thankful to Cleveland Cavaliers for the life they have today. Savannah James said, 'Obviously, LeBron got drafted to Cleveland when we was younger, and I'm from Akron — I'm from 30 minutes down the road — but I don't know…' LeBron James' wife, Savannah James, added, 'If I had to ask him, if he was sittin' here…I think that he would say the same in like, 'I don't know what would have happened.' So, thanks Cleveland Cavaliers." Two decades later, Savannah James and LeBron James continue to be deeply in love with each other as they are busy raising their three children. Also Read: You can feel like less of a woman': Dwyane Wade's wife Gabrielle Union opens up about perimenopause and its emotional toll as a Black woman Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Lerone Murphy: From Manchester streets to UFC stardom – the making of 'The Miracle'
Image credit: Instragram Growing up in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, Lerone Murphy's childhood was a whirlwind of football, friends, and the occasional mischief. Living near Manchester United's iconic stadium meant the game was never far away. 'My childhood was crazy,' Murphy recalls. 'I used to love playing football, going out with friends. Sometimes we got into trouble, but it was fun. Football was a big part of my life.' But life in a deprived, rough area shaped him in ways beyond sport. 'It made me mentally resilient,' he says. 'I got into a lot of fights when I was younger, and that toughened me up.' For years, football seemed like his future—until a devastating knee injury at 16 changed everything. Playing in a cup final, Murphy suffered a serious blow. 'I blew my knee up, and that set me back,' he remembers. 'It took me away from sport altogether. Without that, I went down the wrong path.' Combat sports weren't initially on his radar, even though his uncle, Oliver Harrison, was a respected boxing trainer who worked with big names like Amir Khan. 'It was inspiring, seeing what he was doing,' Murphy says, 'but I never thought I'd be a fighter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like All August Trades Earn Luxury Rewards Vantage Markets IN Register Undo I just wanted to be a footballer.' That changed when a gym opened in Manchester. Training with his cousin, Murphy discovered mixed martial arts—and instantly connected with it. 'It was love at first sight,' he admits. 'I'd always been into combat through things like anime and Street Fighter, but I'd never tried it. Once I did, I was hooked.' Murphy turned professional in 2016, and within three years, he was making his UFC debut—a rapid rise built on relentless dedication. 'I train every day. I don't do anything else but train or think about fighting,' he says. 'That's why I've grown so quickly.' But perhaps the most pivotal moment of his life came in 2013, when he was 21. Leaving a barbershop, Murphy was shot—a brush with death that would alter his path forever. 'It was a dark time,' he admits. 'But it was also the moment that changed me. If that didn't happen, who knows what I'd be doing now. As strange as it sounds, I'm happy it happened because it put me on the path to MMA.' That life-altering event earned him the nickname 'The Miracle,' a badge of resilience he carries into every fight. 'It reminds me I can get through anything,' he says. 'Even if things don't go your way, it doesn't mean it's the end. You can turn things around if you stay resilient.' Training at Manchester Top Team has been key to his continued growth. Surrounded by high-level fighters chasing the same dreams, Murphy has refined his skills while staying loyal to the team that shaped him. 'It's good to have that environment,' he says. 'It keeps you sharp.' For young people facing tough times, Murphy's message is simple but heartfelt: 'There's always light at the end of the tunnel. It's never over until it's over. If you're still here, you can change your situation. Keep good people around you, lean on them, and cut out the bad influences. That's the main thing.' Looking ahead, Murphy's ambitions are crystal clear. 'My goal is to be UFC champion—and defend it in Manchester. That's my dream.' Watch Lerone Murphy in UFC 319 on 17th August from 7:30 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 Hindi SD & HD , Sony Sports Ten 4 Tamil & Sony Sports Ten 4 Telugu. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
I was off the screen for three years; I have no regrets: Suraj Gowda
After his directorial debut Ninna Sanihake, Suraj Gowda took a three-year break from the big screen. That hiatus ends with his upcoming romantic thriller, by Gururaj Kulkarni, in which he stars opposite Sharanya Shetty . It was the strength of the screenplay, he says, that clinched the deal. 'CHOOSING TO STAY REAL IN A WORLD OF GLAMOUR' 'In those three years away from celluloid, I kept reminding myself to stay grounded. As actors, we have a responsibility to portray the raw and real side of life—not just its glitzy surface. Until you become a star, staying afloat isn't always easy. Work doesn't always come as often as you'd like, and there were moments I wondered if the wait would go on forever. But it's important to snap out of such thoughts and stay rooted in reality. To keep my spirits high, I began writing scripts for my directorial and committed to a rigorous fitness routine. Because when you're working out, you have to be fully present— your mind can't wander. That discipline has paid off; this role required me to bulk up, and soon after, I plan to start my next directorial. In the end, it all worked out for the best,' he observes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Diversify your portfolio with Edelweiss NFO Edelweiss Mutual Fund AMC Undo 'CHOOSING THE WRONG PROJECT CAN SET YOU BACK SEVERAL STEPS' The industry has its priorities right—films run on numbers, business, and a winning horse. Until you become someone people are willing to bet on, the key is to keep yourself motivated. I'm not the kind to sulk and ask why no one is picking me. Choosing the wrong project can set you back several steps, so I decided it was better to wait than accept something that wasn't right. The industry is simply doing what it must—it's up to us to keep pace,' Suraj tells us. 'SU FROM SO IS A MOTIVATION FOR SMALL INVESTORS' Small films need to win for investors to gain the confidence to back actors who aren't yet stars. Su from So didn't have big names, but it had great content. I'm so glad it will now encourage investors to support smaller films, giving emerging actors the platform to prove their worth. In a climate where the industry is hungry for hits, successful small films are the best motivation. I hope more people step forward to help aspiring actors realise their dreams. That's my biggest takeaway from my three-year break,' Suraj says. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
