Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 13: The recent advertisement in a newspaper seeking a groom for a girl who passed away 30 years ago, of the same caste but a different gotra, has sparked debate.

Thirty years ago, a baby girl from a resident of Puttur passed away. Subsequently, the family faced unexpected challenges and misfortunes. Seeking counsel from elders, they learned that these difficulties may be attributed to the unsettled spirit of the deceased girl, who had not been married. In an effort to appease her spirit, the family decided to arrange a marriage for her and placed an advertisement accordingly.

Despite efforts to find a deceased boy of the same age and caste through relatives and friends, they were unsuccessful. As a last resort, they published an advertisement in the newspaper. The response was overwhelming, with over 50 calls received. The family has shortlisted 20 mobile numbers and is proceeding with the ghost marriage.

The advertisement stated, "Family members of a boy who died 30 years ago, please contact the given mobile number if you are interested in getting him married to a girl of Kulala caste and Bangera Gothra, who died 30 years ago."

Arranging marriages for spirits or ghosts of deceased individuals is not uncommon in Tulunadu and holds emotional significance for Tulu people. According to Tulu belief, there is no concept of a person going to heaven or hell after death. Instead, it is believed that the deceased, regardless of age, continues to reside with their family, experiencing their joys and sorrows. Therefore, there are no rituals such as Vaikunta Samaradhane (a ritual for the salvation of the soul) or the release of pinda (a ritual offering) into water bodies. Instead, Tuluvas offer food to the deceased and arrange marriages for them if they passed away unmarried.