Varuna Yagam Rituals Begin at Durga Temple Seeking Rains

People in a city called Vijayawada are very worried because the rain has not come.

So priests at a big temple by the Krishna river started special prayers called Varuna Yagam.

Some priests stood in the river up to their waists and chanted holy verses.

They prayed for rain so that farmers can grow crops and rivers and ponds can fill up again.

Many families came to the temple from two states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

It was the first Friday of a special holy month called Sravana.

The temple was decorated with pretty flowers and special prayers were offered.

Women offered their own special prayers for their families.

The temple gave people water and milk while they waited in line.

A leader from the government came to check new buildings being built to serve food to visitors.