The ‘wedding’ took place in Katkar village on the border of Sawaimadhopur district and Karuli district, some 200 km from Jaipur. The bull christened Vrishabh from Medi village ‘wedded’ cow Parvati from Katkar village amid ceremonies and rituals akin to human’s traditional Hindu marriage. Both animals are jointly owned by residents of the two villages.

“We had made all the preparations. Marriage invitations had been sent to hundreds of people. The priest had announced the wedding date in the engagement ceremony organised earlier,” said Radharam Meena, a resident of Medi village. “About 500 people from half a dozen nearby villages and local politician participated in the event.