In Hindu mythology, monkeys have always had an important and sacred role, as they are worshipped as the avatars of Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Rama in his fight against evil.
In the forests of Rajasthan in Talwas, northwestern India, two monkey lovers, Raju and Chinki, became a part of history as the first simian couple to wed. The event represents an age-old, dramatic clash between conventional village beliefs and the skepticism concerning them in modern life and thought.
Locals were excited about the up and marriageas the groom, Raju, has become a local celebrity of sorts. Known for eating, sleeping and smoking cigarettes with his doting owner, Ramesh Saini, the monkey draws crowds whenever he goes outside.
Ramesh loves his monkey as if it was his own child, and the bond between them is a powerful one. An auto rickshaw driver who is married by childless, Ramesh nursed Raju back to health after finding him unconscious three years ago.
It was just Ramesh and Raju until about two months ago when he found Chinki and her caretaker, a priest in a nearby village, who suggested that the two monkeys be married.
“We will welcome the bride in our house in Banetha after the wedding with all rituals,” said a proud Ramesh.
Although monkey marriages are illegal in India, hundreds of wedding invitations were sent out to nearby villages for both the ceremony and huge pre-wedding feast which includes a procession with Raju riding on a horse. The ceremony will adhere to strict Hindu ritual, which includes a priest reciting wedding vows amid seven rounds of the sacred fire.
“It’s an open invitation to all the villagers. I am expecting more than 2000 people for the feast,” said Ramesh.
But tensions rose in both villages as officials encroached, issuing a warning that the wedding could not take place. This forced the simian lovers and their owners into hiding and on that special day, more than 200 guards were forced to confront hundreds of locals who had arrived to see the rare spectacle.
As is the path for many star-crossed lovers determined to find true love, the couple ran away and eloped before forestry officials could stop them. When they found them, the monkeys were nestled in a tree with Chinki’s forehead bearing the vermilion mark worn by married Hindu women.
Post time 24-7-2011 01:56 PM
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