Tribals perform unique prayer ritual in Kolli Hills seeking rain
Facing severe drought, residents of tribal villages in Namakkal's Kolli Hills performed a traditional ritual, smearing themselves with charcoal to seek rainfall.
With agricultural activities severely affected due to a lack of rain in the Kolli Hills, Namakkal district, residents of several villages including Thinnur Nadu, Vasaloorpatti, Sethupilla, and Nariankinarupatti performed traditional rituals to invoke rain. As part of this unique practice, the men of the villages smeared charcoal on their faces and bodies to offer special prayers.
Villagers stated that this ritual, performed during times of drought, has been passed down through generations. They clean a designated spot with cow dung and smear charcoal on their bodies, a belief they hold to bring much-needed rain to the region.
Courtesy: Hindu Tamil Thisai