Bel-Bibaha

Bel-Bibaha

(Marriage between a girl and fruit)

Bel Bibaha or Ehee is a ceremony in Newari community in Nepal in which girls are married to the bel (fruit of wood apple tree) before starting their menstruation. The bel is bride groom that symbolized the bachelor lord kumar and the marriage ensures that the girl becomes pure and remains fertile.

The bel fruit must look ripe and healthy and must not be damaged in any kind. It is believed if the fruit is damaged the bride girl will have unfruitful and ugly husband after her real marriage. Normally, Newar girls are married thrice in their lives. The first is called bel bibaha. The second is the marriage with the sun and the third, when they marry a real bride groom.

The tradition of bel bibaha is believed to be started during 14 the century. The invalidity force used to kill men and boys, dishonored girls but left married women alone. This led people to believe that marrying young girls would save them from dishonor in the future. Bel bibaha of a girl is held at her age like 7,9,11 before they reach puberty. It is usually done in group.

Newari community with slight changes in the original customs and rites.

The first day of Ehee is called Dusala kriya when the girls prepare themselves at home with purification bath, new clothes and ornaments. Ehee the second day, major events take place when they are dressed in bridal suit. The day begins with purification rituals and proceeds to kanyadan when the father gives his daughter to lord kumar. The tradition of Bel bibaha is still performed in the 
Newari community with slight changes in the original customs and rites.

Minu Shrestha

Primary Mathematics Teacher