The Monsoon Tales- Significance of Rains in India

It feels like just yesterday that the year 2019 started and here we are in mid-June already, welcoming the Monsoon season!

Rains have always been adored and loved across the globe. The first drop of rain brings with it a pleasant change from the scorching heat of summer. It renews the minerals in our soil and makes the crops bloom in joy.

India being an agrarian country, rains hold great importance here and are celebrated with much joy. It is but natural that they also have mythological references.

Lord Indra is known as the god of rains, lightning and thunder. Rains here are believed to be the blessings of Gods upon Earth. Various vedas say that it is through the drops of rain that new life enters the planet and karmas are washed off. It is also said that Gods express their displeasure through heavy rains and scanty rains that cause natural calamities and destroy life.

So ingrained is a shower into our culture that some musical notes are also said to cause the sky to burst forth in joy and shower us with life-giving drops.

With such significance, the season of monsoon is celebrated across the country in the form of bright and vibrant festivals, such as

1. Onam:

A very popular festival celebrated in “God’s own country” Kerala, Onam marks the joy of farmers as they witness rainfall to nurture their crops that they have sown with much labour.

People are seen dressed in traditional attire and rituals are performed in temples. Boat races are the most prominent events during this time.

2. Minjar:

The people of Himachal Pradesh pay their respect and show devotion to the Lord for rains and good harvest by celebrating a seven-day long festival called Minjar.

3. Narali Purnima:

Narali Purnima, also know as the Coconut Day festival is celebrated towards the end of monsoon with great zeal in the western state of Maharashtra mostly by the fishing community. The significance of this festival is to ward off any obstacles that may occur in the sea while fishing or sailing.

4. Aadi Perukku:

Celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the purpose of this festival is purely to thank and honour nature and rivers for their contribution to life sustenance. It is observed mostly by women where they take a dip in holy water bodies and make their offerings to the river like flowers, garments, etc.

5. Hareli:

Yet another monsoon festival, Hareli is celebrated in Chhattisgarh by tribal communities. They seek good harvest and perform rituals and worship livestock, farm equipment, etc.

Monsoon in India is thus welcomed with vibrant colours, delicious food and much love. As we write this blog, we cannot wait for the first showers to hit the scorched earth and bless us with abundant food, prosperity and many stories to tell about the greatness of the cosmos we inhabit.