Rangam, the lady Oracle of Telangana, prophesying the future of the state and its people ahead, expressed displeasure over betrayal of promises. She, however, assured of rains, though delayed, and cautioned against fire mishaps.
Displeasure over unkept promises gained political significance, given that the state Assembly elections are hardly months away.
Rangam’s predictions are traditionally one of the most important events in the cultural calendar of Telangana and are held a day after Sunday’s Bonalu puja.
Rangam, who, according to piety and traditional beliefs, is possessed by the deity, with whose power she stargazes and predicts the future without fail for centuries, also indicated that she saw a strong emotion in people over failures of promises made in the past.
Thousands of devotees gathered at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple for witnessing the year’s rangam on Monday as the Rangam lady, who stood on a wet earthen pot, prophesied that she sees rains, fire and change. The temple authorities, this year, enforced a law to ensure her predictions were brief and restricted the number of questions, clearly on instructions.
When a question was asked why rains were delayed this year, Rangam replied that there will be plenty of rain, but indicated that they may be hazy, unpredictable, and will be severe or less than average at different places.
She strongly admonished powers that be, saying, “Rulers have not fulfilled promises they made. There will be several fire accidents all around.”
Once the set of prophecies was given out, devotees and the potharajus took out Baligampa, where they offered items, including food and pumpkins, to throw on houses across the locality, as blessings.
When asked for steps to appease the deity, Rangam further instructed people, “Let married women hold pujas for five weeks at the temple. This will ward off the evil spirits and augment the blessings, as per belief.”
“I know what you are giving me and what you are not giving. I will be always looking after everyone. Each and every house I will keep them safe,” she said in an unflinching tone.
