With the 3-month-long dry spell continuing in the state, people say they have been left with few alternatives
Two Hindu priests chant prayers before idols of deities. Photo provided by Rohit Prashar The people of Himachal Pradesh have turned to the divine, praying for snow and rain as a dry spell that has been on in the state since the past three months, continues.
Hindus and Buddhists in Himachal Pradesh are organising special religious ceremonies in temples and monasteries for rainfall and snowfall.
Hindus are praying to Kamrunag and Indrunag, two deities that are considered rain gods. Buddhists are organising prayers in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Dharamsala.
Hindus and Buddhists together organised a joint prayer for rain and snow at the Kunzum glacier located at a height of 4,590 metres.
Buddhists in the Spiti Valley organised a prayer ceremony at the 1,000-year-old Key monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Residents from across the Tod Valley took part in the ceremony at Key.
Jogendra Sharma, a horticulturist from Rohru in Shimla district, said people were distressed due to the lack of snow and rain. Not having any alternative, they had now sought divine help.
People had started ceremonies to appease the gods and he was sure they would shower their benediction upon them in the form of rain and snow.
The long dry spell in Himachal is having an impact on fruit-bearing trees and cereal crops. The latter are on the verge of drying out. Apple growers are worried as the fruits require a certain ‘chilling hour’ to develop.
This year’s rainfall deficit has broken a 122-year-old record for Himachal Pradesh, according to the meteorological department. Rain and snowfall is likely to be miniscule in the state till January 24, according to the department.
Shyam Azad, from Lahaul-Spiti district, told this reporter that the area was facing a lot of problems due to the lack of precipitation. “People now only have the divine to look up to for help,” he said.
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