Waiting for monsoon in India is not just about waiting for the weather to change, but the hope for farming, water and everyday life is also linked to it. When rains do not come on time or there is drought for a long time, people take help of scientific reasons as well as faith and traditions. Even today, many such unique and interesting rituals are followed to call rain in different parts of the country, which are sometimes surprising to hear.
At some places, marriages of frogs are organized, at some places marriages of donkeys are organized, and at some places women plow the fields at night. At some places people perform special puja to please Lord Indra, while at other places groups of children go from door to door singing rain songs. Even in modern times, these traditions have not completely ended. Their religious and cultural importance still remains among the people. The question is, what unique methods are adopted in India to bring rain and what is the belief behind these traditions?
Help in difficult times
India is known as a country of diversity and this diversity is also visible in the customs related to rain. Different states have their own traditions, but the purpose is the same – to wish for good rains. Scientists believe that rain is entirely related to weather and climatic conditions, but sociologists say that such rituals provide people with mental support and a sense of community solidarity in difficult times.
trend of traditions
When village people participate together in any puja, ritual or tradition, the feeling of hope and cooperation increases among them. This is the reason why these traditions can be seen even today in many places. Let us know about some of the most unique and interesting rituals done to call rain in different parts of India.
Monsoon and folk beliefs (Getty Image)
state and tradition
- Uttar Pradesh: Frogs marry, women plow at night
- Bihar: Wedding of Frogs, Indra Puja
- Madhya Pradesh: Donkey’s procession, feeding Gulab Jamun
- Odisha: ‘Bengi Nani dance’
- Rajasthan: Children’s rain songs, Neem leaves tradition
- Assam: wedding of frogs
wedding of frogs
In many states of India like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Maharashtra, frog marriages are organized when there is no rain. It is believed that there is a deep connection between frogs and rain. The marriage is conducted completely like a human marriage, in which chanting of mantras, procession and even a feast are organised. People believe that this pleases Lord Indra and there is good rain.
Divorce happens to stop
But, this trick is reversed when people get troubled by the rain. Yes, in many places there is a belief that when it starts raining heavily and does not stop, then people even divorce the frogs. People believe that with this Lord Indra understands the signal and the rain stops.
‘Bengi Nani dance’
In the eastern parts of Odisha, a unique folk tradition is performed among the farmers to wish for rain, which is called ‘Bengi Nani Nacha’ in the local language. In this ritual, a frog is caught and kept in an earthen pot half filled with water. Then a procession is taken out in the entire village with drums and folk songs. Two people carry the pot on their shoulders and walk at the front, while the rest of the village follows them singing songs and praying for rain.
The wedding procession takes place on a donkey
A unique tradition is performed in Indore, Madhya Pradesh to wish for good rains. Here farmers and traders together take out a symbolic procession, but the most special thing about it is that the groom rides not on a horse but on a donkey. People take out this procession in the entire city, dancing and singing amidst drums and music. There is a local belief that this unique ritual pleases the rain gods and good rains occur.
feeding gulab jamun to donkey
In some areas of Madhya Pradesh, there is a tradition of feeding Gulab Jamun to donkeys to wish for rain. Local people believe that by doing this Lord Indra is pleased and it rains soon. This is a folk belief, which is still followed in many villages.
Sowing in the crematorium while sitting on a donkey
In some rural areas, when there is a drought situation, a person is taken to the cremation ground on a donkey. There the field is symbolically sown. People believe that this ritual pleases nature and increases the chances of rain.
What do people do for rain? (Getty Image)
donkeys get married
In some areas, marriage of donkey and donkey is also done to wish for rain. The rural community believes that by doing this nature becomes balanced and rain comes early. This tradition is less visible now, but it is still followed in many villages during times of drought.
Making children walk around wearing neem leaves
In some villages of Central India and Rajasthan, children go from door to door wearing neem leaves on their bodies and sing folk songs related to rain. The villagers give them grains or food and everyone together prays for good rains. This tradition is considered a part of folk culture.
Special worship of Lord Indra
In many parts of India, when there is no rain for a long time, special worship, yagya and havan of Lord Indra are performed in the temples. Farmers and villagers collectively participate in this and pray for good rains and good crops. In the Vedic tradition, Indra is considered the god of rain. In this, Havan is performed with Vedic mantras and prayers for good rain are offered.
women plowing at night
In some villages of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, women plow the fields at midnight. It is a popular belief that this unique ritual pleases the earth and the rain gods, which leads to early rains. This tradition is now seen in very few places. This tradition is considered quite old.
is bathed in mud
A unique folk belief related to calling rain is prevalent in many rural areas of Uttar Pradesh. Here people believe that if a person is rolled in mud or bathed in mud, Indra, the god of rain, is pleased and good rains occur. At some places, even this goes further and small children are symbolically buried in mud up to their necks. Local belief is that this ritual pleases Lord Indra and it rains soon. However, these beliefs have no scientific basis and are considered merely a part of folk tradition and faith.
children’s rain songs
In Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and some other states, children go from door to door in groups and sing folk songs related to rain. In return they are given grains, fruits or food. This tradition is not only religious but also considered an important part of folk culture.
signal from tithri
For centuries, farmers in rural India have been predicting rain by observing the behavior of the titmouse, its voice and the direction of the eggs. In this video, this unique relationship between Titri and Monsoon, the folk beliefs related to it and the experiences of farmers has been explained. The information given here is based on traditional beliefs, rural experiences and available sources.
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