Unhappy 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 hesitant 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 Sri Amnmunda agreed and even found a stray dog named Sheru as a match for his daughter. He said: “The village elders told us that we should organise the wedding as soon as we can. We had to make sure that the evil spell is destroyed. And marrying a dog is the only way to get rid of the bad luck”. And amazingly, this not the first time that a local girl has wed a dog in the village. Sri added: “Many weddings like this have taken place in our village and also the other neighbouring villages. This is a custom that we thoroughly believe in”. 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. “My villagers say that many girls like me have followed this ritual and they have gotten rid of their evil spells and are living happy lives now”, said Mangli. “I will also be free to marry a man of my dreams after after the evil spell is over”.

Mangli Munda poses on her wedding day with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. An 18-year-old Indian girl has married a stray dog as a part of a tribal ritual designed to ward off an evil spell. Village elders hastily organised the wedding between Mangli Munda and the canine as the teenager is believed to be bringing bad luck to her community in a remote village in Jharkhand state. Mangli's father Sri Amnmunda agreed and even found a stray dog named Sheru as a match for his daughter. And while Mangli was a hesitant bride, she believes that the ceremony will help ensure that her future human husband will have a long life. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Rituals being performed during the wedding of Mangli Munda with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Mangli Munda poses on her wedding day in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Stray dog named Sheru pictured on the wedding day in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Mangli Munda poses on her wedding day with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Mangli Munda poses on her wedding day with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Mangli Munda poses on her wedding day with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Villagers perform rituals during the wedding of Mangli Munda with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)

Villagers perform rituals during the wedding of Mangli Munda with a stray dog in Jharkhand, India on August 30, 2014. (Photo by Barcroft Media/ABACAPress)