Ritual For Rains: What's Behind The Bizarre Frog Marriages In India

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated event uniting two lives, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Dressed resplendently, the bride and groom made a stunning entrance, captivating the assembled guests. Amidst the vibrant festivities, rituals unfolded in true Band Baaja Baaraat style, accompanied by the lively strains of wedding songs. However, in a twist that intrigued onlookers, the betrothed couple were not humans, but frogs!

This peculiar spectacle is rooted in an age-old tradition observed in many states across India, where weddings are ceremoniously arranged for male and female frogs in the hopes of summoning rain and alleviating the sweltering heat. While seemingly unconventional, this practice persists today, underscoring the diverse tapestry of customs and rituals that define Indian culture.

In a nation where agriculture reigns supreme, the absence of rainfall can spell disaster, leading to droughts and potential famines that affect millions. Recognising the critical importance of precipitation, communities in India have embraced the belief that frog weddings possess the power to beckon rain. Modelled after traditional Hindu weddings, albeit with amphibious participants, these ceremonies hold significant cultural significance, with the tradition particularly entrenched in Assam.

In August 2023, Assam grappled with a scorching heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 38°C. In response, several districts in the state turned to the age-old practice of “bhekuli biya” —frog weddings— as a means of invoking rain. The Assamese term “bhekuli” translates to frog, while “biya” signifies marriage.

The folklore surrounding this ritual abounds in Assam, with tales recounting how farmers beseeched the clouds for rain, only to be told that precipitation awaited the croaking of frogs—a natural harbinger of rainfall.

Similarly, in southern India, the tradition of frog marriage persists, known as ‘Mandooka Parinaya.’ Here, too, the union of two frogs symbolises a sacred invocation for rain, embodying the enduring belief in the interconnectedness of nature and human life.

Despite its whimsical appearance, the ritual of frog weddings serves as a poignant reminder of the profound reverence and reliance placed on the natural world within Indian culture, where age-old traditions continue to weave threads of mysticism and meaning into the fabric of daily life.