'Varuna' exchanges vows to bring 'Varsha' to parched Udupi

UDUPI: With no pre-monsoon showers and South West Monsoon now meandering its way to Kerala almost 10-days behind schedule, this temple town reposed faith in nature to propitiate ‘Rain God’. ‘Manduka kalyanotsava’ saw ‘Varuna’ and ‘Varsha’ enter in to ‘frog lock’ at the auspicious muhurath of Simha Lagna and this ‘marriage’ was preceded by an elaborate wedding reception that started at Maruthi Veethika and ended at Hotel Kidiyoor.
Organised by Udupi Zilla Nagarika Samiti Trust and Pancharatna Trust, ‘kalyanotsava’ saw ‘Varsha’ from Kelinje and ‘Varuna’ from Kalsanka in Udupi said, “Yes, I Do!”. The procession that found its way from Kavi Muddana Marg, old Diana Circle and reached parking lot of Hotel Kidiyoor. The ‘couple’ were made housed in a cage and brought to the venue in a cycle rickshaw with members of the marriage party in tow.
At the ‘frog lock’, SGH women from Matru Mandali and Bhajana mandali initiated the rituals. Chitpadi Nasik Band created the right noises associated with the ‘marriage’. At the auspicious time denoted by the priest, wedding was solemnised. Post this, members of Bhajana Mandali performed arathi and the newlyweds were returned to their cage. Janardhan Sherigar hosted lunch for the guests. Later, the couple were released at Mannapalla.
Nithyananda Olakadu, general secretary of Nagarika Samiti said, "zoologist brought 4 frogs and tested them before zeroing in on ‘Varuna’ and ‘Varsha’. We organised this ritual because Udupi is facing acute drinking water shortage and hope this ends soon.” Tharanath Mestha, social worker said, “this 'kalyanotsava’ was organised as per Hindu rituals. Despite criticism in certain circles, we are doing this for betterment of society and for rain,” he noted.