Married to a fruit?

[Guest guest]

I found a couple of references to Newar girls

symbolically marrying gods, although it seems

at least sometimes it's Vishnu, rather than

Shiva (?)

 

Traditionally the Newars (the predominant

ethnic group of the [Kathmandu] valley),

marry off their pre-pubescent girls to

a fruit of the Bel tree (Aegle marmelos)

which symbolizes Lord Narayana himself. The

marriage ceremony is elaborate, accompanied

by a feast.

 

By this custom, if a Newarni's future mortal

husband should die, she is not considered a

widow because she is still married to Narayana.

The Newar " widow " therefore [allegedly] undergoes none

of the often disagreeable sanctions imposed on widows.

 

http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/nepal/2/

 

Bel Bibaha, cultural marriage ceremony of

Newar girls in group,

Bel Bibaha, cultural marriage ceremony of

Newar girls in group, being performed at

Shiva Parwati Temple premises in Basantapur D

urbar Square in Kathmandu, Thursday.

Photo: Ramesh/TRN [Photo is missing from web post]

 

http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=12207

 

http://anjalidawson.com/MarriedToTheGodNarayan.html

 

, " prainbow61 " <paulie-

rainbow wrote:

>

>

" In Bhaktapur, we have a tradition to get our girls married

to a Bael (Aegle marmelos),

> a fruit dedicated to Lord Shiva, around the age of 10 or 11, "

Shakya said told AFP. [\quote]

>

> Married to a fruit? Boy there's so much room for humor in that

one... but seriously. What is

> this about?

>

> What are the implications of marrying your 10 yr old daughter to a

fruit dedicated to Shiva?

>

> Can she marry a person later on, or is she dedicated to the fruit?

What happens to the fruit

> itself? Why this particular type of fruit?

>

> Can anyone tell me where I can find more information on this?

>

> namaste,

>

> pr

>