NASHIK, India — I now pronounce you frog and wife.

With five priests chanting scriptures, a frog groom named Punarvasu and his amphibian bride Pushala were joined in holy Hindu matrimony by villagers hoping the ancient custom will bring monsoon rains to their drought-stricken district.

Organizer Nandkumar Pawar says thousands of people gathered Thursday in a massive tent in Patkhal village for the lavish wedding banquet.

He said Saturday that the frogs were decorated with flowers and smeared with turmeric, a holy and auspicious ointment. A brass band played Bollywood film songs while the priests blessed the frogs.

The region in Maharashtra state is 400 kilometres southeast of Mumbai, India’s financial capital.

Frog weddings are practiced in some parts of India and other areas of South Asia.