It is unique because the wedding was not between two human beings. It is believed that about 900 years ago, when a cobbler's daughter proposed marriage to Shri Siddheshwar (a celibate Shiva devotee), he expressed his inability to marry her due to his avowed celibacy.
When she did not take no for an answer, he suggested that she have a symbolic ceremony with his wand or cane.
He is fondly revered especially in the Hindu Lingayat community, which has erected a grand Siddheshwar temple surrounded by a large water body, resembling the plan of Amritsar's Golden temple.
I have been a regular visitor to this festival and have always been impressed with the disciplined yet friendly way the wedding procession and ceremony is conducted.
Devotees, dressed in shining white robes called 'Barabandi' take turns to carry a large decorated bamboo pole in a waist-supported cloth band in a procession which starts at about 8 am from the symbolic house of the groom and reaches Siddheshwar temple by about 1 pm, where the ceremony is held.
The procession winds through the town's old localities, with a few old houses still standing to witness the old tradition. It culminates near the temple, where every space gets filled with devotees thronging to witness the symbolic wedding.
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| Gadda festival wedding ceremony at Siddheshwar temple - Solapur, Maharashtra, India - © Sanjay Marathe |
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| Performers enact mythological tales along the way, watched curiously by onlookers from houses and streets - Solapur, Maharashtra, India - © Sanjay Marathe |
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| The route is decorated with colourful Rangoli motifs to welcome the procession - Solapur, Maharashtra, India - © Sanjay Marathe |
