The practice of giving and taking dowry is a crime under the law. But even today, such customs and traditions continue in many villages of the country. Millions of rupees, lots of gold and silver jewellery, new cars or valuables are demanded in the dowry. But if someone told you that instead of gold and silver, they gave you 21 poisonous snakes in dowry. You might not believe it. But yes it is true. This strange tradition is practiced in a village in Madhya Pradesh even today. Leki, who goes to his father-in-law, is given a venomous snake as a dowry.
The father has to give 21 venomous snakes to his daughter in the wedding. These snakes are so venomous that if they bite a person, that person can die. This tradition is still going on in a community in Madhya Pradesh.
The people of the Gauria community of Madhya Pradesh give 21 poisonous snakes to their son-in-law as dowry. This tradition has been going on in this community for centuries. It is believed that if a person belonging to this community does not give a snake to his daughter in the wedding, then his daughter's marriage will soon break.
It is said that as soon as the daughter's marriage is decided, the father starts catching snakes to give a gift to his son-in-law. They also contain poisonous snakes like wheat.
The main occupation of the people of this community is to catch snakes and they earn money by showing them to the people. This is the reason why the father gives a snake as a dowry to his son-in-law so that he can earn money through these snakes and feed the family.
Strict rules have also been made to protect snakes in this community. It is said that if the snake dies in their box, it is considered to be inauspicious.