New Delhi: For over two decades, a couple in Telangana has kept alive the memory of their son through an unusual yet deeply emotional ritual. What started as a way to cope with loss has now become a yearly tradition that brings an entire village together.
In Mahabubabad district, Lalu and Sukkamma have been organising a wedding ceremony every year for their son Ram Koti, who died in 2003. According to family members, Ram Koti died by suicide after his love marriage faced opposition from the girl’s family. A few days later, the young woman also died by suicide, leaving both families in shock, NDTV reported.
Dream leads to ritual
The loss deeply affected Ram Koti’s parents. However, they chose to remember their son in a unique way instead of letting grief consume them.
Sukkamma said that her son appeared in her dream after his death and asked them to build a temple and perform his marriage. Taking this as a sign, the couple built a small shrine inside their house.
They installed statues of Ram Koti and the girl he loved, placing them side by side. Since then, the parents have conducted a symbolic wedding for them every year.
Ceremony on Ram Navami
The ritual takes place annually on Ram Navami. The ceremony follows traditional Hindu wedding customs, including prayers, offerings and other rituals.
In Telangana, Ram Navami is known for celebrating the wedding of Lord Rama and Sita in temples. Inspired by this belief, the couple treats the statues as divine and performs the ceremony in a similar manner.
From personal grief to community tradition
Over time, the ritual has grown beyond the family. Villagers, relatives and people from nearby areas gather each year to take part in the ceremony.
What began as a private act of remembrance has now turned into a shared cultural event. For the couple, it remains a way to keep their son’s memory alive, while for the village, it has become a symbol of faith and emotional connection.