Karnataka govt asks temples to hold prayers for rains

Karnataka, July 20, 2012: The prayers would be conducted on July 27 and August 7.

The Karnataka government has asked the 34,000 temples in the state to conduct special prayers seeking rain.

With the state expected to experience the worst drought in 42 years, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government also asked churches and mosques to conduct prayers to please rain God.

The prayers would be conducted on July 27 and August 7.

State Endowment Minister K S Poojari said the rituals would cost 170 million rupees.

He clarified that the tax-payers’ money would not be used for the ritual but funded by the temple trusts.

The state government is yet to calculate the extent of crop loss during this monsoon season.

Large parts of north and central Karnataka have recorded almost 27 percent deficient rainfall.

– ndtv