Wedding celebrations are supposed to be happy events but in northern India, a shocking number end tragically, thanks to a surprisingly tenacious tradition of celebratory gunfire.

Take the wedding party in a small village called Raipur Bhood in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh last weekend.

The photographer, employed to immortalise the special day, was shot dead by members of the grooms' family during a celebration ahead of the marriage party when the men pulled out weapons and started firing.

Raju, known locally as Pintu, was shot in the stomach and died of his injuries in hospital later. A 17-year-old girl called Meenakshi was also shot and injured.

Celebratory gunfire isn't intended to injure or maim but Raju and Meenakshi were not the only victims that weekend.

The father of the groom at another north Indian village shot and injured a 12-year-old boy, while in a third village, a woman was injured as she watched a wedding.

In February alone, a total of four people were killed in celebratory firing in weddings just in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

In one incident, the groom himself was fatally wounded after one of his guests fired in the air.

Amit Rastogi was leading the traditional procession to the bride's house on a horse when he was hit in the head.

confuzzled dude wrote:

Wedding celebrations are supposed to be happy events but in northern India, a shocking number end tragically, thanks to a surprisingly tenacious tradition of celebratory gunfire.

Take the wedding party in a small village called Raipur Bhood in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh last weekend.

The photographer, employed to immortalise the special day, was shot dead by members of the grooms' family during a celebration ahead of the marriage party when the men pulled out weapons and started firing.

Raju, known locally as Pintu, was shot in the stomach and died of his injuries in hospital later. A 17-year-old girl called Meenakshi was also shot and injured.

Celebratory gunfire isn't intended to injure or maim but Raju and Meenakshi were not the only victims that weekend.

The father of the groom at another north Indian village shot and injured a 12-year-old boy, while in a third village, a woman was injured as she watched a wedding.

In February alone, a total of four people were killed in celebratory firing in weddings just in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

In one incident, the groom himself was fatally wounded after one of his guests fired in the air.

Amit Rastogi was leading the traditional procession to the bride's house on a horse when he was hit in the head.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35818831