Varuna Yagam on August 10 to Pray for Telangana's Rainfall

A special vedic ritual, the ‘Varuna Yagam,’ will be performed at Nagarjunasagar on August 10 to invoke divine blessings for widespread rainfall and replenishment of water bodies across Telangana. Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy confirmed the event, which follows Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s directive to offer prayers for the prosperity of the farming community and abundant river flows.

Rituals to Take Place at Nagarjunasagar Reservoir

The Yagam will be held on the Vijaya Vihar premises, situated on the banks of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir. Priests and vedic scholars from the Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, in consultation with the temple Siddhanti, selected August 10 as the auspicious date for the ritual. The ceremony will involve 108 ruthviks performing the Yagam at 11 ‘homa kundas,’ under the supervision of the Endowments Department.

The vedic scholars will conduct prescribed rituals and offer prayers for healthy flows in the Krishna and Godavari rivers, filling up of reservoirs and tanks, and a prosperous agricultural season. The rituals will culminate in a ‘Maha Purnahuti’ in the evening, which Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is expected to attend.

Water Levels in Reservoirs Remain Low

The decision to perform the Yagam comes amid concerns over insufficient water levels in major reservoirs across the State. While some projects like Jurala, Kaddam, and Yellampalli have reached surplus levels, others remain significantly below capacity. For instance, Nagarjunasagar is only 44% full, and Singur holds just 13.9% of its total capacity. Similarly, Sriramsagar is nearing the halfway mark, while Lower Manair and Mid Manair reservoirs are filled to 23.9% and 69% of their capacities, respectively.

Significance of the Yagam

The Varuna Yagam reflects the State’s reliance on traditional practices to address agricultural and water-related challenges. With farming dependent on adequate rainfall and water storage, the ritual aims to ensure a bountiful harvest and the well-being of farmers. The event underscores the importance of water management in Telangana, especially as large reservoirs remain underfilled despite seasonal inflows.

Source: The Hindu