Hundreds gathered in Thakurgaon to witness a symbolic wedding between a Bot and Pakur tree, celebrating Hindu tradition while promoting environmental conservation and harmony between people and nature.
In a colorful and unique celebration blending faith, folklore, nature and environmental awareness, a symbolic wedding between a Bot or Banyan tree and a Pakur or Ficus rumphii tree took place in Thakurgaon on Friday.
The ceremony was held in Kismat Paharbanga of Chilarang Union under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila and followed traditional Hindu wedding rituals. Locals traveled from nearby areas to witness the unusual event, which aimed to promote harmony between humans and nature.
During the wedding, the Bot tree was dressed as the bride in a red and yellow sari, while the Pakur tree wore a traditional dhuti as the groom. The trees, three and four years old respectively, are considered sacred in Hindu culture and feature in many rituals.
Officiating priest Shubhan Chakraborty said, “The trees grew up together and are worshipped as deities. Their symbolic wedding encourages respect for nature and preserves cultural traditions.”
Organizers said the event also carried a strong environmental message. By celebrating the union, they hope to inspire tree preservation, foster a love for nature among locals and protect the environment from harm.
Family representatives took part in the ceremony in traditional roles. Parimal Chandra Barman, acting as the bride’s father, said, “The Bot and Pakur trees were planted three and four years ago. Following the advice of elders, we organized this wedding to pray for nature’s well-being.”
Bolram Sarkar, acting as the groom’s father, added, “We performed the ceremony formally with our families, observing all the rituals of a traditional wedding.”
About 400 families attended, celebrating the union as both a cultural and ecological initiative. Local resident Nurul Islam said, “We had heard about a Bot-Pakur wedding but never seen one. Seeing the ceremony and decorations was amazing.”
Professor Mantosh Kumar Dey, a senior educator in Thakurgaon, described the event as “a folkloric practice with a meaningful message for environmental conservation.”
The Bot-Pakur wedding highlights the importance of preserving trees that contribute to ecological balance while celebrating Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage.
