Una, Aug 14 (UNI) Scores witnessed the marriage of a groom who had died almost two decades ago to a bride that was never born in a village in Una district of Himachal Pradesh yesterday.

Except this, everything else was in place, including relatives and friends dancing to the tunes of Bollywood music, the marriage procession and the traditional rituals followed by the feasting (dhaam).

Rakesh Kumar, deaf and dumb, the only son of Sita Devi and Sohan Lal had died 18 years ago due to a mysterious disease at the age of 12.

Though his parents had performed the last rites, they always believed that their son was still living with them.

According to the mother, if Rakesh were alive now, she would have married him with the same enthusiasm.

''How can I keep my son unmarried, when I have already solemnized the marriages of all my daughters''?, she said.

This Rakesh's parents ''arranged'' two children from the neighbbouring houses to pose as Rakesh and his bride, naming them Radha and Krishna.

The groom's palanquin was then taken in a procession through the village, with dancing relatives and brass band in the lead.

After the marriage ceremony, complete with all rituals to the minutest detail, traditional Himachali food delicacies were offered to the people.

The family, which is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, had been preparing for the ceremony for the last one year.

The last two months were hectic, revealed the father, adding that all bookings and purchasing were done meticulously with the involvement and advice of relatives and close friends.

''We had kept Rakesh's likes and dislikes in mind during the ceremony,'' said the proud parents, while holding a picture of their ''newly wed'' son.

UNI XC AS HS YA HT1555