Bel Bibaha[Marriage between a girl and a fruit]: A unique custom in Newari Community
Being born into a Newar family is indeed a blessing. They are the original inhabitants of Kathmandu valley in Nepal, pretty famous for historical architecture, tradition and cultures. They have rituals and customs which are to be followed from birth till death.
A daughter born in a Newar family gets married three times, not to the groom
(a man), but with bel (a fruit), the Sun and a groom. In the pre-adolescent stage, a ritual called Bel Bibaha or Ehee is practised by girls in the Newar community in which they are 'married' to a Bel (fruit of wood apple tree) which is a symbol of god Vishnu. It is believed that practicing this culture ensures that the girl becomes and remains fertile. It is performed before hitting puberty in girls.
It is believed that if the girl's husband dies later in her life, she is not considered a widow because she is already married to Lord Subarna Kumar (an avatar of lord Vishnu) who is believed to be immortal. It was basically done to prevent the tradition of
'Sati Pratha', where after the husband dies, the widow sacrifices herself in the burning fire.
-Pranisha Bakunchhe
Grade Nine
Manoram Boarding Secondary School
Suryabinayak-5, Bhaktapur
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