TN to invoke divine help for rain, temples told to hold prayers

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department

(HR and CE), which administers over 44,000 temples in the State, has asked officials of important shrines to conduct special ‘yagams’ among other rituals for pleasing Lord Varuna, the God of rains.

A circular by Phanindra Reddy, Secretary, HR&CE department, reads, “The Department will conduct special prayers to invoke the rain God by offering special prayers in all the important temples attached with the department. The officials are directed to conduct special prayers according to the Agama rules of the temples for the State’s prosperity.”

The circular also lists both general and specific prayers for certain types of temples. General prayers include ‘Parjanya Shanthi Varuna Jabam’, ‘Varuna Suktha Vedha Mandhiram’, ‘Varuna Gayathri Madhiram’ and general prayers for invoking rain.

Besides, the temples have also been asked to organise musicians to play ‘ragas’ such as “Amrithavarshini”, divine ragas in Carnatic music that are said to bring showers when played. Prayers should be offered to divine bull Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, by placing the idol in water, the circular stated.

Officials, including Joint Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Executive Officers (EO) of the temples have also been directed to be present during the special prayers. They would also present a report of the special prayers conducted.

Meanwhile, the move has invoked sharp criticism from a cross section of people. C Ramalingam, author and former General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Science Forum, told DT Next, “This is atrocious. The Constitution directs the government to promote scientific temper but on the contrary, the government is promoting superstitious beliefs”.

He also quoted the recent order by the Karnataka government which has decided to use cloud seeding to induce rainfall and said the government should opt for such scientific methods and not rely on superstition.

This is not the first time that TN is seeking to invoke divine intervention for combating drought like situation. Sridhar, former HR&CE official and President, HR&CE Employees Association, said, “Such circulars were common during the time of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Even when late DMK Supremo M Karunanidhi, was Chief Minister, a similar circular was sent to officials, but he warned officials from implementing it.”

State HR&CE Minister Sevoor Ramachandran said that he was unaware of any such circular being sent. Phanindra Reddy said, “It is a normal practice”.