Rain prayers at Mahakaleshwar

Ujjain, MP, July 25 (UNI) Even as thousands of devotees from various parts of India are arriving at this ancient temple town's Mahakaleshwar shrine in the Hindu month of 'Shravan', villagers from surrounding areas are coming, over a fortnight, for the 'jalabhishek' ritual and praying for rain.

Mahakaleshwar is among the country's 12 jyotirlingas.

Malwa region's soybean crop is on the verge of perishing as precipitation has been less compared to last year. Hundreds of women from neighbouring areas are arriving on naked feet, carrying water in 'kalash' on their heads and accompanied by the beating of percussion instruments.

Another interesting tradition for rain is 'Ujjaini' wherein a group goes from an urban area into a forest where the people sing devotional songs and offer worship.

UNI XC-AC 1940