CHAMARAJANAGAR
Drought conditions are causing serious concern in Chamarajanagar district as farmers from Mysuru and Chamarajanagar have turned to religious faith in hope of rainfall. Hundreds of farmers undertook a pilgrimage to Male Mahadeshwara Hills and prayed for rain, as water sources continue to dry up across the region.
Farmers said lakes are shrinking and several reservoirs have reached dead storage levels, making water release for agriculture extremely difficult. With crops already sown depending on early expectations of monsoon, many farmers are now struggling to protect their fields due to the continued lack of rainfall.
Believing in traditional faith, farmers and members of the Sugarcane Growers’ Association travelled in groups to Madappa Hill. They performed rituals, including urulu seva, and prayed for rainfall, expressing hope that divine intervention would bring relief even if government efforts fall short.
Farmers recalled that during earlier drought years, similar prayers were believed to have been followed by rainfall. They expressed confidence that Male Mahadeshwara would not abandon them in their time of distress, even if administrative support seems limited.
Leaders of the farming community also urged the government to take stronger steps to address the drought situation. They demanded proper assessment of crop loss and immediate submission of reports to higher authorities for relief measures.
With monsoon rains still absent, the situation in the district remains critical. Farmers have left their fate in the hands of faith and nature, hoping for timely showers that can save standing crops and restore agricultural activity in the region.