Surtis organise 'Varun Yagna' to please Rain God

Worried about the delayed rains and consistently high mercury levels, some citizens in Surat conducted a special yagna on Wednesday, to please the Rain God. A havan was also conducted, along with the yagna, to help end the dry phase in the city.

The special yagna, meant to appease Lord Varun, the God of rain, was organised at Bapa Sitaram Chowk at Katargam by the ladies wing of the Surat Vatalia Prajapati Samaj. Special rites and a havan were conducted as per Hindu rituals, to attract the clouds and usher in this year’s monsoon. Five couples of the samaj participated in the yagna.

“As per our (Hindu) mythology, if it does not rain on time, it means that the Rain God is angry with us. This year, the monsoon has not set in yet, which suggests that Lord Varun may be unhappy. To prevent any further delay, we have organised this yagna,” said Geeta Ambalia, president of the ladies wing of the samaj.

There have been clouds gathering over the city since the last few days, but rainfall has been limited to brief showers. The monsoon was scheduled to set in, in the second week of June in Surat, but till now, citizens have tasted rains only twice. On Wednesday morning, rains descended on Surat, but showers lasted for less than 20 minutes.

“We are also seeking Lord Varun’s blessings so that enough water pours out of the skies, as is needed by human beings and other living creatures,” said Bhadresh Upadhyay, the purohit who performed the yagna.