Amazing news: Many such ancient and unique traditions are still alive in the rural areas of India, which are the center of deep faith for the people even in this age of science. One such shocking sight was seen in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. At the historic Jammi Ankalamma Temple located in Uravakonda town of the district, farmers and local people, troubled by the indifference of monsoon, performed a special puja to pray for rain. In this traditional ritual, a very unique ritual performed by unmarried youth remained the center of attraction and curiosity.
The farmers of the country are continuously gazing towards the sky in search of hope. Even after the main time of sowing has passed, farmers’ worries are increasing due to lack of rain as expected. To protect the crops from drying up and to make the area green, a unique tradition that has been going on for generations was resorted to in Uravakonda. Under this traditional ritual, seven unmarried (bachelor) youths of the village took a strict resolution to bring rain.
Garland of 108 coconuts and 108 lemons: the plate of the gods decorated like this
These seven youths picked up 108 vessels (water bottles/urns) filled with holy water with full devotion. After this, he performed Maha Abhishek by offering water 108 times as per the rituals on the sacred Shami tree and Nag tree located in the temple premises. After water consecration of trees and deities, a grand religious ritual was performed in the temple, in which the special significance of the number 108 was seen.
During the ritual a brand new and sacred water vessel was placed on the heaps of jowar (grains). This vessel was beautifully decorated with turmeric, saffron, kumkum and fragrant flowers and the deities were worshiped with special mantras.
coconut and lemon offering
During this special prayer, 108 coconuts were broken one by one to please Goddess Jammi Ankalamma. Along with this, a special garland of 108 juicy lemons was prepared and offered to the Goddess to adorn the Mother Goddess.
The young man roamed round and round sitting on the tide and stones!
The most important and hair-raising part of this entire puja was the unique ritual, which a large number of villagers had gathered to witness. After the puja was over, jowar (cereal) grains were spread in a big circle in the courtyard of the temple. After this, a small and round bundle of stone (round stone) was placed exactly in the middle of that grain. As soon as a young man praying for rain sat on a round stone placed above the tide, the stone and the young man started rotating in circles on their own. Everyone present there was surprised to see the young man sitting on a stone without any external support and spinning rapidly like a wheel.
Unbreakable folk belief: If the stone rotates, it will rain heavily!
The local people and elders have very strong faith in this miraculous and unique ritual. Villagers believe that if this stone (Gatta) rotates smoothly in a round as per the custom, it means that Goddess Jammi Ankalamma has accepted their prayer. There is a popular belief that after the success of this ritual, there will be torrential and good rains in the area soon, due to which the crops standing in the fields will flourish and all the problems of the farmers will go away. This time also, after the stone has been rotated in an excellent manner, there is hope among the villagers that soon drops of relief will rain from the sky.
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