like any other traditional marriage ceremony, this one too was held with much pomp and enthusiasm at Ward-8 of Manakarpur’s Baurisahi Basti in Kendrapada township on Friday.
The only difference in the marriage was that locals had assembled not to give their blessings to the groom, a Peepal tree, and the bride, a Banyan tree, but to get blessed by the newlywed.
This unique ceremony, rooted in tradition, was held out of a modern day concern for environmental degradations due to rapid deforestation and the felling of trees by rapacious timber mafia. Villagers believe that by marrying tree with tree, they will gain certain sanctity and fend off marauders looking for timber.
Hence, the locals of Baurisahi Basti conducted a marriage between the Banyan and Peepal trees not for fun but to send out a profound message about the need to combat widespread deforestation and preserve trees that protect human habitations from natural calamities.
Recently, Rabi Bhoi and Bhagata Bhoi, who planted the trees and nourished them, proposed to the residents to solemnise the marriage. As a result, in a meeting it was decided to solemnise the wedding in the presence of a priest, a barber and a conch-blower.
The locals then decided to hold it on last Friday, on the occasion of Sitalsasthi, considered auspicious as per the Odia almanac. Rabi Bhoi and his wife Banita became the parents of the Peepal, which traditionally symbolises the masculine gender, whereas Bhagabat Bhoi and his wife Sukanti Bhoi played the role of the father and mother of the Banyan tree, which is considered to be feminine.
The marriage was solemnised by the local priest, who chanted Sanskrit shlokas. The villagers enjoyed every moment of the ceremony with festive zeal and traditional fervour. The groom’s procession, feast and other rituals were conducted as per custom. About 2,000 people, including guests from the adjoining areas, participated in this unique ceremony, said the host.
Explaining his gesture, Rabi Bhoi said, “life without green trees is like fish without water. So, we should not only plant trees but also take care of them to avail their flowers, fruits and soothing shelter. Due to rampant felling of trees, we are bearing the brunt of environmental decay and pollution. We worship trees and must stop their destruction.”
“Marrying trees is the best way to consider trees as human beings according to Odia folklore. Interestingly, many villagers organised the marriage with complete fanfare. The belief among the rural people is that if someone organises a marriage between a Banyan tree and a Peepal tree, then he will get the blessing of God and all the sins committed by him in the life span will be wiped out,” said the priest.
“As per law, marriage should be made between a girl and a boy when they are 18 years and 21 years, respectively. We solemnised the marriage of 21-year- old Peepal tree and 18-year- old Banyan tree for spreading the message to save trees,” stated Bijay Bhoi, a local youth of Baurisahi.