Bride Who Died in the Middle of Her Wedding Is Replaced With Younger Sister
The wedding in India went on after the bride’s sudden and tragic death.
A woman in India was in the middle of wedding celebrations when she fell ill and later died, Indian media report. But instead of going home, the bride's family persuaded the bride's younger sister to marry the groom instead. The wedding celebration otherwise went on as planned. Here's what you need to know about this odd story.
Who Was the Bride?
The bride was named Hetal and was the daughter of a man named Jinabhai Rathore. The wedding celebrated Hetal's marriage to Vishal, the son of Ranabhai Butabhai Algotar of a village called Nari.
Where Did This Happen?
The wedding took place in a marriage venue in the Subhashnagar area of Gujarat in India. The venue was in front of the Bhagwaneshwar Mahadev Temple, a Hindu temple in Bhavnagar region.
Why Did She Die?
The wedding celebrations were in full swing with songs and dances, Indian media report. But things came to an abrupt halt when Hetal complained of dizziness and then fainted. She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors said she had suffered a heart attack and died.
What Happened Next?
The family was in shock after Hetal's sudden death. But after conferring with local officials, they decided to proceed with the marriage ceremony. They persuaded Hetal's younger sister to stand in her place and marry Vishal instead. Hetal's body was put into cold storage until the marriage ceremony was over.
Why Did the Sister Marry the Groom?
The decision to proceed with the wedding reflects the nature of some parts of Indian and Hindu culture. "Terming the incident 'very sad,' corporator of Bhavnagar city and leader of Maldhari Samaj, Laxmanbhai Rathore asserted that the members of society convinced the family to set an example and not send the bridegroom empty-handed, even though the family of the bride was devastated by the death of their daughter," according to Times Now in India.
"For Hindus, marriage is a sacrosanct union," according to a research paper in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry. "It is also an important social institution. Marriages in India are between two families, rather two individuals, [and] arranged marriages and dowry are customary. The society as well as the Indian legislation attempt to protect marriage. Indian society is predominantly patriarchal."
