‘Pray for rain’: Karnataka Muzrai dept issues order to temples in state

Drought

The Muzrai department issued a notice asking temples in its jurisdiction to conduct rituals to invoke the Hindu rain god.

TNM Staff

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It seems that the Karnataka state government has recently decided to take all and any possible measures to end drought in the state. Leaving no stone unturned, the Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (commonly known as the Muzrai Department) has announced that all temples falling within its jurisdiction will be performing a ceremony to appease the ‘rain god’ on June 6. (Translation) “Due to a lack of rainfall, people and wildlife in the state are struggling for drinking water. For the state's prosperity and for the growth of crops grown here, prayers have been offered in the past in the temples under the Muzrai department in the state," circular states. "So, to help the state in the time of drought, the state government has deemed it necessary that all temples under Muzrai department begin 'parjanya japa' and special prayers. The state government has also asked for the prayers to begin on 6 June during the Braahmi Muhurta,” it continues. Temporary measures have already been in effect in several parts of Karnataka, in view of the water crisis. The state had earlier launched a district-wise call centre for citizens to issue complaints regarding water scarcity in their localities. However, K Nagesh, a geologist at the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department had stated that the call centre was a short-term solution which would act as a band-aid until rainfall increases groundwater levels. Over 150 of 176 taluks in the state of Karnataka are experiencing a severe drought, with many villages in north Karnataka facing the brunt of the situation. But it seems that the state is willing to go to any lengths to ensure that rain does fall, stating that chanting the ‘Parjanya japa’ was necessary as the chant would invoke Varuna, the Hindu god of rain, in addition to performing certain rituals which would allegedly lessen the drought in the state. It has been reported that the temples will be allowed to take Rs 10,001 from the donation boxes towards the ceremony, stating that similar orders had been issued to tackle similar crises in the past. Earlier, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in Tamil Nadu had also issued a circular on April 26 asking for special rituals and prayers to be conducted in the temples it oversaw.  

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