Donkeys Fed 'Gulab Jamuns' in Bhopal; Know the Reason Here
A group of Bhopal residents performed a traditional ritual on Saturday by feeding 'gulab jamuns' to donkeys, hoping to appease Lord Indra for better rain. While some parts of Madhya Pradesh face a rainfall deficit - with 35 districts recording below-normal levels - Bhopal has received a 44 per cent surplus. A wet spell is expected to bring relief to the state beginning Sunday.
A group of residents in Bhopal gathered along Kolar Road on Saturday, July 18, to perform an unusual ritual aimed at addressing the uneven distribution of rainfall in Madhya Pradesh. Participants fed gulab jamuns to a group of donkeys, an act described by those present as a traditional symbolic gesture intended to appease the rain deity, Lord Indra, and bring about more precipitation to the region.
Ritual Amidst Dry Spells in Madhya Pradesh
The ritual, which took place at approximately 11:00 AM, combined the feeding of the animals with communal prayers for a more active monsoon season. While the practice reflects local customs and deep-seated concerns regarding seasonal weather patterns, it highlights the anxiety felt in areas where the monsoon has yet to meet typical expectations. Shashank Singh, His Father Booked for Assaulting Cook in Bhopal; Punjab Kings Cricketer Says This.
Despite these efforts, meteorological data presents a contrasting picture of the state's current weather situation. While some regions remain parched, others have seen significant rainfall.
Regional Rainfall Disparities
Senior meteorologist SN Sahu of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhopal noted that the state capital itself has actually experienced a surplus. According to official figures, Bhopal has recorded 400.3 millimetres of rain since the onset of the monsoon, marking a 44 per cent increase over the normal average for this period. However, the state-wide scenario remains a cause for concern. Official records indicate that 35 districts across Madhya Pradesh have received below-normal rainfall so far this season. Bhopal Shocker: Senior IPS Officer Sanjeev Kumar Kanchan’s Daughter Dies by Suicide in Madhya Pradesh.
Affected Districts and Forecast
The districts currently experiencing a rainfall deficit include Chhindwara, Damoh, Dindori, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Mandla, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, Pandhurna, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Umaria, and Alirajpur. Additionally, the deficit has been reported in Barwani, Betul, Datia, Dhar, Jhabua, Morena, Narmadapuram, Raisen, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, and Vidisha. Despite the localised deficit, meteorological experts offer a positive outlook for the coming days. According to Sahu, Madhya Pradesh is expected to experience a wet spell beginning Sunday, which may provide much-needed relief to the regions currently struggling with below-normal monsoon totals.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2026 12:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
