Girls Wed To God In Ritual In Nepal

Nine-year-old Bhintuna sat smiling in jewellery and a red and gold brocade bridal dress as she held a tray of offerings, waiting for her turn to take part in the ritual that would wed her to a god. The schoolgirl is just one of hundreds of Nepali girls set to take part in the rite that weds them to the god Vishnu over the coming month, a symbolic time of weddings according to tradition in this deeply religious, majority Hindu nation. "It is fun. I am happy to wear new clothes and be with so many friends," said Bhintuna. The ritual, which takes place before a girl reaches puberty, is one of three weddings of the girls from the Newar community.