Karnataka Family Seeks Groom for Daughter Who Died 30 Years Ago
A family from Karnataka’s Puttur has placed a matrimonial advertisement in the local newspaper seeking a ghost groom for their daughter who died 30 years ago. But why? Watch to find out.
In a unique turn of events, a family in Puttur, a town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Mangalore, Karnataka, is planning a wedding for their deceased daughter. This unusual decision has caught the attention of many across India.
Thirty years ago, the family faced a heartbreaking tragedy when their infant daughter passed away. Since then, they have endured numerous unexpected challenges and continuous misfortunes. Seeking advice, the couple turned to their family elders, who suggested that their deceased daughter’s unsettled spirit might be the cause of their ongoing troubles.
To bring peace to their daughter's soul and hopefully alleviate their own hardships, the family decided to arrange a marriage for her. This practice is known locally as "Kule Madime" or "Pretha Maduve" in the Tulu language, which translates to "marriage of the spirits."
According to reports, Pretha Maduve is an old tradition in Tulu-speaking areas of Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, as well as parts of the neighboring Kasargod district in Kerala. It holds deep emotional and cultural significance for the Tulu community.
Experts on Tuluva folklore explain that the Tulu community believes that the deceased remain connected to their families, sharing their joys and sorrows. Therefore, rituals typically performed during a person's death, such as ‘Vaikunta Samaradhane’, 'Pitr Aradhane', and ‘Pinda Pradana’, are also observed during Pretha Maduve. These rituals are part of making marriage arrangements and offering food to the deceased bride and groom.
The family of the deceased girl sought a boy from the Kulal caste and Bangera Gotra who had also died 30 years ago. Despite five years of exhaustive efforts by relatives and friends, they could not find a suitable deceased groom of the same age and caste.
In a bid to find a match, the family decided to place an advertisement in a widely read local newspaper. The ad read: "Seeking a boy for a girl from Kulal caste and Bangera (gotra). The child died about 30 years ago. In case there is a boy of the same caste and different Bari, who died 30 years ago, the family is willing to perform Pretha Maduve.” This advertisement quickly grabbed attention not only in the Dakshina Kannada district but across the country.
In an interview with the Times of India, the family revealed that they had received at least 50 calls from people expressing interest in Pretha Maduve. They are now in the process of finalizing the groom and setting a date for the ritual. The family also shared their initial worries about being trolled because of the advertisement but were pleasantly surprised by the positive response and the increased awareness about their sacred ritual. Many people from different castes have reached out, some even just to learn more about Pretha Maduve.
Interestingly, traditions similar to Pretha Maduve also exist in other parts.
