

CHENNAI: Cyclone Fani has disappointed water-starved Tamil Nadu . Northeast monsoon failed the state in the last two years. Cities like Chennai are facing acute water crisis . The state government has now turned to the gods for help.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department commissioner Phanidra Reddy has issued a circular to all major big temples in the state asking them to perform yagas and other rituals to please the gods. The temples are asked to play Carnatic music ragas like Amirtravarshini which are believed to bring rain .

In his circular said, Reddy said, “Temples must organise varuna poojas. They must construct a small tank near the Nandi idol in Lord Shiva temples and collect the water after performing pooja and abhishekam to Nandi. They must make oduvars (temple singers) sing Sundramurthi Nayanar’s 7th Thirumurai and Thevara songs seeking rain. Temple artists must be asked to either sing or play on the nathasvaram or violin Carnatic music ragas like Amirtravarshini, Megavarshini, Kedhari, Ananda Bhairavi, Rupa Kalyani and others,” said Reddy in the circular.

The temples have been asked to submit to the HR&CE headquarters a detailed report of the poojas performed for the purpose of getting rain.

