Bullock carts roll in as ‘baraat’ goes green in Samastipur

Patna: In an age of luxury cars and high-decibel DJs, a wedding procession in Samastipur town chose tradition over extravagance, sending out a powerful message on environmental conservation.In a refreshing departure from convention, the wedding procession reached the marriage venue in a fleet of bullock carts instead of high-end cars, transforming an otherwise routine celebration into a statement for a pollution-free wedding. Traffic in parts of the town virtually came to a standstill as 35 bullock carts, drawn by 70 bulls, moved rhythmically along the road, drawing widespread attention. Passers-by jostled to capture the rare spectacle on their cellphones as the unusual procession made its way through the streets.The wedding of Alok Kumar, son of local trader Pradeep Seth, was solemnised with Akriti Kumari, a resident of Rosera town in Samastipur district. The bride’s father is also a businessman. On Wednesday evening, the procession set out from the Mathurapur locality and travelled nearly 2km to Muktapur, where the wedding ceremony was held.Interestingly, several carts were fitted with sofas, allowing guests to undertake the journey in comfort while retaining its rustic charm. In a conscious break from modern trends, no DJ or high-decibel music accompanied the procession. Instead, the soothing notes of the shehnai filled the air, lending the occasion a traditional and serene ambience. The slow, solemn tolling of bells tied around the bulls’ necks echoed across the locality, creating a scene reminiscent of a bygone era.“Pollution remains an issue of serious concern, so we decided to ride bullock carts to reach the wedding venue,” Seth said. He added that although the family owned cars and could have easily travelled in them, they deliberately parked the vehicles at a city hotel to embrace the traditional mode of transport. At his request, local villagers arranged the bullock carts, readily supporting the initiative.The wedding acquired another traditional touch when the groom arrived at the venue riding a mule. After the ceremony, the bride travelled some distance in a palanquin — once the customary carriage for brides — before proceeding by car to her in-laws’ home. Locals lauded the groom’s family for attempting to “keep traditions alive amidst the sheer madness of modernity”.