Two Women Marry in Traditional Hindu Ceremony in West Bengal's Sundarbans Despite No Legal Recognition

Nov 08, 2025 08:24 pm CST

In a remarkable display of love and courage, two professional dancers, Riya Sardar and Rakhi Naskar, defied social conventions by marrying each other in a traditional Hindu ceremony at Paler Chak temple in West Bengal's Sundarbans region. Despite India having no legal recognition for same-sex marriages, the couple received overwhelming support from hundreds of villagers who participated in their celebration, highlighting a growing acceptance of LGBTQ relationships even in conservative rural communities.