With 101 Bullocks and Pots of Krishna Water, Jallapuram Villagers Pray for Rain in Unique Ritual
As part of this traditional and symbolic event, a grand procession involving 101 bullocks (oxen) was carried out to the banks of the Krishna River. Each bullock was decorated ceremoniously, forming a massive and visually striking procession that drew the attention of neighboring villages. From the Krishna River, the villagers collected 101 pots of holy water, treating it as a sacred offering to the deities in their village temples.
With devotional songs on their lips and hope in their hearts, the villagers chanted prayers and sang verses imploring the Rain God to end his silence and bless them with life-giving rain. Their songs carried emotional pleas such as, "O Rain God, please forgive us and shower your mercy. Our crops have dried up, and we are all looking toward the sky in hope."
Upon returning to the village, the collected river water was used to perform ritual ablutions (abhishekams) to the idols in all the local temples. This was done as a mark of devotion and to spiritually cleanse the atmosphere, believed to invoke divine blessings.
The villagers said this ritual is part of an age-old tradition followed in times of severe drought. But what made this occasion special was the scale and coordination of the event—101 bullocks and 101 water pots—symbolizing unity, community effort, and deep reverence for natural forces.
Local farmers, many of whom are facing crop failures due to lack of rainfall, participated in large numbers. The elderly shared that such customs were observed even by their forefathers during times of agrarian crisis, often followed by good rainfall.
This spiritual initiative underscores the resilience and faith of rural Telangana's farming communities, who turn to traditional customs for hope and intervention during testing times. With the Kharif season underway, the entire region now eagerly awaits the rains, praying that the divine responds to their earnest calls.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
From Pavitropana to Salano: How rakhi is celebrated differently in Gujarat, Bengal, Tamil Nadu and the rest of India
Raksha Bandhan, observed in the month of Shravana, sheds light on the bond between siblings, especially brothers and sisters. While the traditional tying of a sacred thread (rakhi) by sisters and the vow of protection from brothers remain central, the festival takes on different hues across Indian states. These variations are rooted in regional customs, mythology, and community beliefs. Western India: Rituals, coconuts, and puran poli In Gujarat, Rakhi coincides with the festival of Pavitropana, when devotees offer prayers and water to Lord Shiva. Temples see large gatherings, and the focus is on seeking forgiveness and spiritual cleansing. In Maharashtra and Goa, the day overlaps with Nariyal Purnima, which marks the beginning of the fishing season. Coastal communities offer coconuts to Varuna, the sea god, as a ritual for prosperity. Families celebrate Raksha Bandhan alongside, with sisters tying rakhi and households preparing festive dishes like puran poli. Southern India: Vedic rituals and family ties In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Raksha Bandhan is observed as Avani Avittam, particularly by Brahmins. The day is marked by ritual bathing and donning of the Janeu, a sacred thread worn across the torso. It is considered a time for atonement. In Karnataka and other Telugu-speaking regions, daughters tie rakhis to their fathers, a custom that highlights a broader familial bond. The day is also marked by special meals featuring payasam and vada. Scholars often begin their study of the Yajur Veda on this occasion. Eastern India: Devotion, festivals and rural significance In Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, the day is widely referred to as Jhulan Purnima, dedicated to Radha and Krishna. Festivities include singing devotional songs, dancing, and the traditional rakhi-tying ceremony. In Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the festival is known as Kajari or Sharavani. It holds significance for women and farming communities, tying in with agricultural cycles and local customs. In Assam and Tripura, community-wide celebrations are common. Besides brothers, rakhis are tied to friends and neighbours reinforcing unity and social bonding. Northern India: Rituals, sweets and flying kites Northern states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar celebrate Raksha Bandhan with elaborate home gatherings. Sisters perform aarti, apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads, and tie the rakhi. Traditional sweets such as laddu, barfi, and jalebi are commonly prepared. In Haryana, the festival is locally known as Salano. Here, priests tie protective amulets to ward off negative energies. The day is also marked by kite flying, especially in Jammu, where kite strings are called GattuDor, adding a visual element to the festive atmosphere. Despite its different expressions, Raksha Bandhan maintains a consistent theme across regions: the reaffirmation of love, protection, and shared culture between siblings and beyond. From sacred dips and temple offerings to songs, sweets, and community ties, the festival brings India's cultural diversity into sharp focus.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Around 37,000 farmers adopt natural farming in Himachals Una and Hamirpur
Hamirpur / Una (HP), Aug 6 (PTI) With incentives like subsidies and assured minimum support price given by the state government to promote natural farming, around 37,000 farmers have adopted natural farming in the twin districts of Una and Hamirpur. Over 20,000 farmers in Hamirpur district and 16,853 farmers in Una have adopted natural farming, officials said. Deputy Commissioner of Hamirpur Amarjeet Singh said around 96 quintals of wheat and 9 quintals of turmeric prepared through natural farming have been purchased in the district in the Rabi season, while 53 quintals of maize were purchased in the last Kharif season. Project Director of Aatma Project, Hamirpur, Nitin Sharma said that to promote natural farming, farmers are given a subsidy of Rs 25,000 for the purchase of indigenous cows. Apart from this, a transport subsidy of Rs 5,000 and payment of animal market fee up to Rs 2,000 are also provided under the project. A subsidy of Rs 8,000 is given for paving the floor of the cowshed and setting up systems for collecting cow urine. Additionally, a subsidy of up to Rs 2,250 is available for preparing materials required for natural farming, such as drums and other equipment. Shakuntala Devi and Sushma Devi of Gram Panchayat Amlahad, who have adopted natural farming, have found new hope. Not only has it significantly reduced their farming costs, but their crops are also fetching better prices, and their food is now free from harmful chemicals, Sharma added. The ATMA Project Director Virender Bagga claims 41.66 metric tonnes of natural wheat and 11.15 metric tonnes of natural maize were purchased by farmers in Una district. Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal has urged farmers to adopt this method, citing its environmental, health, and economic benefits. PTI COR BPL DR DR view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 12:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
With 101 Bullocks and Pots of Krishna Water, Jallapuram Villagers Pray for Rain in Unique Ritual
Gadwal: In a heartfelt display of devotion and desperation, farmers from Jallapuram village in Manavapad mandal have performed a unique and rare ritual to appease Varuna, the Rain God, seeking relief from the prolonged dry spell affecting the region. The residents hope their prayers will not only bring rain to their village but also bless the entire state of Telangana with prosperity. As part of this traditional and symbolic event, a grand procession involving 101 bullocks (oxen) was carried out to the banks of the Krishna River. Each bullock was decorated ceremoniously, forming a massive and visually striking procession that drew the attention of neighboring villages. From the Krishna River, the villagers collected 101 pots of holy water, treating it as a sacred offering to the deities in their village temples. With devotional songs on their lips and hope in their hearts, the villagers chanted prayers and sang verses imploring the Rain God to end his silence and bless them with life-giving rain. Their songs carried emotional pleas such as, "O Rain God, please forgive us and shower your mercy. Our crops have dried up, and we are all looking toward the sky in hope." Upon returning to the village, the collected river water was used to perform ritual ablutions (abhishekams) to the idols in all the local temples. This was done as a mark of devotion and to spiritually cleanse the atmosphere, believed to invoke divine blessings. The villagers said this ritual is part of an age-old tradition followed in times of severe drought. But what made this occasion special was the scale and coordination of the event—101 bullocks and 101 water pots—symbolizing unity, community effort, and deep reverence for natural forces. Local farmers, many of whom are facing crop failures due to lack of rainfall, participated in large numbers. The elderly shared that such customs were observed even by their forefathers during times of agrarian crisis, often followed by good rainfall. This spiritual initiative underscores the resilience and faith of rural Telangana's farming communities, who turn to traditional customs for hope and intervention during testing times. With the Kharif season underway, the entire region now eagerly awaits the rains, praying that the divine responds to their earnest calls.
