According to local beliefs, frogs know in advance when rain is due to arrive and their croaking is a sign that a monsoon is on its way. The central part of Nepal has already been without rain for eight months.
Around 2,000 people from the Gairi village and surrounding area, some 140 km (87 miles) east of the capital Kathmandu, gathered for the marriage ceremony between the "groom" called Barun and the "bride" known as Bijuli that was conducted according to Hindu rituals.
A former local councilor, Bijoy Das, was cited by the Hindu as saying, "It's a traditional belief that when a frog marriage is performed, the Barun Devata [the rain-god] is pleased and the rain comes. Since there has been no rain for the past couple of months we have performed the frog marriage to invoke the Barun Devata."
A second ceremony was later held on a plate at the Nageshwori Kalikasthan temple as well wishers shouted out their congratulation to the happy couple. Seven priests conducted the ceremony while hundreds watched.
After the long ceremony, the newly weds were let go into a nearby stream along with two reserve couples. The Hindu reported that a male toad, however, did not survive the ordeal and died before he could be released.
A local woman said that shortly after the rituals ended there was a strong gale followed by a brief drizzle. Unfortunately, the shower was not prolonged and the farmers are still hoping that the monsoons will arrive very soon.
