Video: Drought-hit Andhra villagers hold frog wedding to pray for rain
As a prolonged dry spell continues to scorch Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, farmers have revived a centuries-old tradition by conducting a symbolic "frog wedding" in
As a prolonged dry spell continues to scorch Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, farmers have revived a centuries-old tradition by conducting a symbolic "frog wedding" in the hope of invoking rain and saving their withering crops. With fields turning dry and agricultural activity coming to a standstill, villagers gathered on Sunday to perform the ritual, which is traditionally believed to appease Varuna, the Hindu god of rain. The ceremony began in the morning after villagers caught two frogs from a nearby pond to serve as the symbolic bride and groom. The frogs were adorned with turmeric and saffron before being "married" in the presence of village elders, following customary rituals.
After the wedding, the frogs were placed in baskets and taken in a procession through the village. Accompanied by the beating of traditional drums and chants of "Appabuvva.. Amma Buvva", children carried the baskets while women poured water along the procession route as a symbolic prayer for rainfall. Villagers also went door to door collecting contributions to organise the ritual. Later in the day, they planned another traditional procession involving a donkey, locally known as the Vasudeva procession, as part of continued prayers for rain. "We sowed our crops nearly a month ago, but there hasn't been even a drop of rain.
The soil has no moisture, and the clouds that form are blown away by the wind," a farmer from Borampalli village said. "We performed the frog procession from morning, and now we are conducting another traditional ritual. Our elders believe such ceremonies bring rain, so we are praying that the Almighty shows mercy on us," he added. Another farmer said the entire village had united to organise the event in the hope of saving the season's crops. "All the farmers have come together because our crops are drying up due to the lack of rainfall. We conducted the frog wedding, took the frogs through every street in the village, and are continuing with more rituals while praying for rain," he said.
Organisers said the frogs were handled carefully throughout the ceremony and were released unharmed back into their natural habitat after the rituals concluded. Anantapur, one of Andhra Pradesh's most drought-prone districts, has witnessed persistent dry conditions in recent weeks, leaving farmers increasingly worried over delayed monsoon rains and the fate of newly sown crops. Ends Published By: Ajmal Published On: Jul 20, 2026 13:00 IST
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