India, Nov. 8 -- Hundreds of people gathered in a deep hamlet of the Sunderbans to witness a display of love between two women in their early twenties. Riya Sardar and Rakhi Naskar tied the knot at the Paler Chak temple in Jalabeira in Kultali block on November 4. In a country where same sex marriage has no legal sanction and the issue remains pending in the Supreme Court, the wedding marked a small rebellion.

The ceremony drew hundreds of guests who ululated, blew conch shells and blessed the couple. It took place in a socially conservative part of the Sundarbans, where such public assertions are unusual.

In the afternoon, as Riya stood dressed as the bride shining in the temple courtyard, Rakhi arrived wearing a groom's crown, and bot...