Drought stones to bring rains in Anantapur
Drought stones have started appearing on the National Highway between Anantapur and Kadiri
ANANTAPUR: A unique tradition in Rayalaseema is that of karavu rallu (drought stones). Villagers in the drought-hit region believe that the dry conditions are due to “dristi dosh”.
They collect stones and other waste material and dump them on the outskirts of other villages after offering puja in the late hours, expecting heavy rains.
Mr Range Gowda, an 85-year-old farmer from Dinnetti in Madakasira, said karavu rallu is shifted in a bullock cart and dumped on the outskirts of a nearby village in the belief that their own village will get rains.
Drought stones have started appearing on the National Highway between Anantapur and Kadiri near SK University and can be seen on the outskirts of Bathalapalli mandal head quarters.
Mr Sanjay Sinha, an engineering graduate from JNTU observed that the sentiment had spread even to urban areas due to continuous drought years.
This is apart from praying to rain gods, conducting marriage of frogs and taking out procession of donkeys in addition to traditional offerings like kumbabhisekam, seeking rains, said MLC G. Thippe Swamy.