Girl marries dog to ward off evil spirit

A girl has been forced to marry a dog in order to ward off an evil spell, it has been reported.

Mangli Munda, 18, from a remote village in eastern India reluctantly participated in a lavish wedding after being told the pooch would ward off the evil spell.

Once the plan was agreed by Mangli's father Sri Amnmunda, he then sought a stray dog for his daughter to marry.

The dog, Sheru, was brought to the wedding in a chauffeur driven car and was welcomed by a crowd of onlookers.

Mangli, said that although she was sceptical about the idea, she hoped it would change her luck.

Luckily for her, marrying the dog will not prevent her from marrying a man she wants in later life.

 The reluctant bride said: "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."

The village customs mandate that Mangli will have to raise the dog as a pet and take care of it for the next few months until the spell is over.

Mangli's mother Seems Devi, explained: "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.

"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."

During the wedding festivities, people danced to traditional drumming, with around 70 relatives and local villagers in attendance.

It is not the first time a girl from the village has married an animal in order to ward off a curse.

Mangli added: "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.

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