Delta farmers conduct ritual for rainfall

Trichy: Several farmers’ associations jointly organised a special ritual (’yaagam’) on the banks of the Cauvery river near Mukkombu, seeking good rainfall, release of Cauvery waters, and for their prosperity.“We pray for the uninterrupted flow of Cauvery water, bountiful seasonal rain, filling of lakes and water bodies, increased agricultural prosperity, protection of drinking water resources, maintenance of ecological balance, and for people to live without hunger,” said S Yoganathan, president of the Ayyaru Protection and Lakes Restoration Association, which coordinated the event.The ritual began with cow worship. Seven priests chanted Vedic mantras while performing ‘kalasa puja’ and conducting the yagam.

This was followed by a special puja to Mother Cauvery with deeparadhana (lamp worship) and river worship. The sacred kalasa water, sanctified by mantras, was poured into the Cauvery.Initially, the organisers had planned to conduct the rituals near the idol of Mother Cauvery and erected a shed and set up a fire altar. However, officials from the water resources department (WRD) stopped the puja around 7am, stating that the organisers did not have permission, and dismantled the shed and the altar.

Later, the organisers shifted the venue a few hundred metres away, near the Uklira Kaliamman temple, and conducted the rituals without fire. Following the puja, organisers resolved to conduct a larger ritual with the sacred fire after obtaining proper permission.