A teenager married a dog during a lavish Indian wedding in front of at least 70 guests. Mangli Munda, 18, from a remote part of eastern India, was told by village elders that marrying the confused canine would ward off an evil spell.

A local guru told her parents the teenager possessed ill-luck and that marrying a man would bring destruction to the family and her community.

The baffled dog, Sheru, was brought to the wedding in a chauffeur driven car and welcomed by revellers.

Mangli, who has not been to school, said she was not happy to wed a dog, but insisted that it will help change her fortunes.

The bride said: “I am marrying a dog because the village elders believe that my evil spell will be passed on to the dog.”

“After that is done, the man I will marry will have a long life.”

Mangli’s father agreed and even found a stray dog named Sheru as a match for his daughter.

Barcroft Mangli Munda poses on her wedding day with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India.
Welcome to the family: Sheru was pampered during the ceremony

According to the village’s customs, the marriage will not affect Mangli’s life, and she will be free to marry again later without divorcing the dog.

At the wedding ceremony, people danced to traditional drumming, while around 70 relatives and local villagers attended the wedding.

Now with the marriage ceremony over, Mangli has to take care of the dog and raise him as a pet for the next few months.

Mangli added: “I will marry a man one day. It is the dream of every girl to marry a prince charming. So I am also waiting for my prince.”