Man marries dog to lift curse

Audlem has been the setting for many interesting and memorable weddings over the years, but a recent wedding in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu really takes the biscuit. The Dog biscuit, that is.

The groom is a 33-year-old farmer named Selvakumar, who recently married Selvi the dog to try and lift a 'curse' which has left him partially paralysed and deaf in one ear.

The story began in his wild youth, where in a fit of rage, Selvakumar killed two dogs and hung them from trees. Since then his suffering has got worse, and with local hospitals unable to help, Selvakumar turned to a local astrologer.

According to the soothsayer he was suffering due to being cursed by the spirits of the dogs he killed. The only way out of the 'dog house' was to marry a dog and live with it as his wife.

Selvi the bride was brought to the temple by village women and a Hindu priest conducted the ceremony. Here she is pictured with her husband wearing a traditional Hindu orange sari and flower garland.

Despite the whole thing seeming 'barking' mad, it is apparently fairly common for deeply superstitious people in rural India to organize weddings with dogs and other animals, believing it can beat curses.

Although Audlem's three churches are modern and open-minded, villagers thinking of marrying their pets, are advised to contact a member of the clergy before booking a date.

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