LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – The dog, named Sheru along with Mangli were treated to a lavish wedding with more than 70 guests. The dog was brought to the wedding in a chauffeur-driven car and welcomed by the celebrants.  A local elder told Mangli’s parents that she possessed ill-luck and that marrying a man would bring destruction to the family and her community. 

Mangli is not happy with her current arrangement, but insisted that it will help change her fortunes. "I am marrying a dog because the village elders believe that my evil spell will be passed on to the dog. "After that is done, the man I will marry will have a long life."Mangli’s father Sri Amnmunda agreed and even found the dog as a match for his daughter. "The village elders told us that we should organize the wedding as soon as we can. We had to make sure that the evil spell is destroyed. "And marrying a dog is the only way to get rid of the bad luck."

It’s not the first time that a local girl has wed a dog in the village of Jharkhand.

Sri added: "Many weddings like this have taken place in our village and also the other neighboring villages. This is a custom that we thoroughly believe in."

The marriage will not affect Mangli’s life, according to the village’s customs, and she will be free to marry again later without divorcing the dog.

"My villagers say that many girls like me have followed this ritual and they have gotten rid of their evil spells and are living happy lives now," Mangli says.

"I will also be free to marry a man of my dreams after the evil spell is over."

Mangli’s mother welcomed the ceremony. "Apart from the fact that the groom is a dog, we followed all customs. We respect the dog as much as we would respect a normal groom," she said.

"We had to spend money on this wedding in the same way as we would in a normal wedding. But that is the only way we can get rid of her bad luck and ensure the benevolence of the village."

Mangli now has to take care of the dog and raise him as a pet for the next few months. "I will marry a man one day. It is the dream of every girl to marry a prince charming. So I am also waiting for my prince."

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