TN govt to invoke divine intervention for rains

Vedic hymns to propitiate the rain God are set to reverberate in major temples across Tamil Nadu soon with a desperate government turning to the divine power for overcoming acute water scarcity faced in several parts of the state.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE), which administers over 44,000 temples in the state, has asked officials of important shrines to conduct special 'yagams' among other rituals for pleasing Lord Varuna, the God of rains.

"It has been decided by the HR and CE to perform yagam in important temples that come under the department hoping for bountiful rains during monsoons in the year 2019-20," a circular issued to authorities of the shrines said.

Besides, the temples have also been asked to organise musicians to play 'ragas' such as "Amrithavarshini", divine ragas in Carnatic music that are said to bring showers when played.

This is not the first time that the state government is seeking to invoke divine intervention for combating drought like situation.

In 2013 too the then AIADMK government headed by J Jayalalithaa had organised special yagams and prayers in the HR and CE administered temples to propitiate the rain God.

Temple officials have been asked to inform by Thursday their preparedness for conducting the yagams and the number of temples and the schedule would be decided shortly, an official of the HR and CE told PTI.

Prayers should be offered to divine bull Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, by placing the idol in water, the circular issued by HR and CE Commissioner Phanindra Reddy said.

The southwest monsoon - occurring between June and September - brings much of the annual rainfall to India, it is the northeast monsoon (October - December) that meets the requirements of Tamil Nadu.

In the last two years, northeast monsoon rainfall had been lower than the normal quantum and several parts of the state, including this metropolis, are facing severe water scarcity.

Major lakes in the suburbs that cater to the drinking water needs of the city are having poor storage.

Cyclone 'Fani', which was initially expected to hit the state, has belied hopes of good summer rains as it changed course and is heading to Odhisha coast.