Frog Wedding Held in Drought-Hit Majuli to Appease Rain Gods

As parched paddy fields crack under a relentless dry spell and the sowing season slips by, desperate farmers in Upper Majuli’s Molong village have turned to a centuries-old ritual — the symbolic marriage of frogs — in a desperate plea to the rain god, Varun Dev.

Traditionally observed during periods of drought in various parts of Assam, the "Bhekuli Biya" (frog wedding) is a folk practice rooted in the belief that marrying frogs can appease rain gods and bring showers to drought-stricken lands. On Monday, villagers in Molong organised the ritual with full Assamese customs — complete with wedding songs, traditional attire, and ceremonial rites.

"With no rainfall during the Assamese month of Ahar (mid-June to mid-July) and the month of Shravan (mid-July to mid-August) already underway, farmers say they haven’t been able to transplant a single seedling. 'By this time, our fields are usually lush with paddy. But this year, there’s no rain, no irrigation, and no hope,' said a local farmer."

The community-led event saw participation from all corners of the village — men, women, youth — coming together in both faith and desperation. As two frogs, representing the bride and groom, were brought into the ceremony, women sang biyanam, while youths beat dhols and chanted bihu naam, evoking the festive spirit of a traditional Assamese wedding. The ritual followed age-old customs, including symbolic marriage vows and offerings to the rain god.

“This is not just a ritual; it’s a cry for help,” said another villager from the same village. “We know it may not work in scientific terms, but what else can we do? Even the irrigation schemes have failed us. The fields are bone dry.”

Locals have severely criticised the water resources and irrigation departments, accusing officials of negligence. Despite repeated appeals for water through lift irrigation schemes and emergency tankers, no substantial help has arrived.

Molong, a village that once produced surplus rice and lent its name to the word ‘Molong’ (referring to grain in local parlance), is now bracing for a potential famine. “The irony is painful. The very place that once fed others is now starving for a single crop,” said 65-year-old Bhupen Nath, recalling better years.

While many villagers acknowledged that such rituals may be deemed superstitious, they say the act is symbolic of their unity and last resort. “It may be an old belief, but it gives us hope. And right now, that’s all we have left,” said another villager.

The situation in Majuli — a district surrounded by the Brahmaputra and known for its ecological fragility — reflects broader concerns about climate change, erratic monsoons, and the glaring gap between rural need and administrative response.

For now, the people of Molong wait — for rain, for relief, and for someone to listen.

Also Read: Once a Symbol of Ahom Glory, Now a Cattle Field – Talatal Ghar Cries for Help