Source: www.dnaindia.com
MUMBAI, INDIA, August 27, 2009: On Wednesday, 11 priests sat neck-deep in water in three-foot wide drums for over three hours, chanting sutras from the Vedas at the Sri Sankara Mattham in Matunga. “We do this to gain the goodwill of the rain god Varuna for abundant rains in the city and the country,” said 65-year-old Venkataraman Shastri, the head priest of the temple and one of the priests who sat inside the drum.
“This time, the puja was conducted on the demand of the public. With another month left for the monsoons to end, the puja will help with regular rainfall so that there is a good harvest in the coming months,” said S. Ramachandran, honorary treasurer of the Mattham.
The belief is that the mantras help create vibrations which bring abundant rains. “The swars are of three types — Udat, Anudat and Swarit. If pronounced correctly, the vibrations are bound to produce rains. The success depends on the concentration, discipline and the pronunciation of those chanting them,” said A.N. Sheshan, the president of the Mattham.