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Sundarbans Village Blesses Temple Wedding of Same-Sex Couple

The ceremony was a social union without legal status in India, with recognition of same-sex marriage still before the Supreme Court.

Overview

  • Professional dancers Riya Sardar, 19, and Rakhi Naskar, 20, exchanged vows at the Paler Chak temple in Jalaberia in the Kultali block of the Sundarbans.
  • A priest led traditional Hindu rituals as hundreds of neighbours attended, offered blessings, and shared a feast.
  • Videos of the temple ceremony circulated widely online, drawing national attention to the community’s support.
  • Local police said they received no complaints and would not intervene in what they described as a peaceful temple function.
  • The couple described family pressure and rejection for at least one partner, underscoring the personal costs alongside local acceptance.