Mock 'coffin procession' in TN village seeking rain

With the Met office forecasting a below normal monsoon this year, a village in Tamil Nadu today took out a mock coffin procession and held a 'wailing session' to assauge the rain gods even as prayers were held in different areas of the state.
Villgers of Kalanipakkam near Vellore took out the coffin procession and conducted a wailing session. Accompanied by tradional drums and bursting of crackers, they left the bier at the entrance of the next village who are expected to repeat the process and then end the ritual.
Villagers said this was part of their prayers seeking rain.

In Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, priests conducted "Varuna Japa Yagna" in temples to propitiate the rain gods.
A special prayer session was also held in Ayya Vaikundar Temple in Manali near this city.