No rain because of growing sins, says soothsayer

When sins are growing how can there be rain,” asked Swarnalatha dramatically, a wide-eyed lady in trance covered in turmeric paste. A celibate, she was making forecast for the year ahead as part of customary “Rangam” (looking into the future) as part of the annual Bonalu festival at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on Monday.

As thousands of devotees thronged the temple, Swarnalatha said that the selfishness of the leaders was adding to the woes of the people. “The leaders should work with spirit of service and sacrifice but they are drenched in selfishness. They are looting the wealth of the State and even of the temples,” she said.

As per the believers among the devotees an unmarried young woman takes part in the ritual every year and she becomes possessed by the deity of the temple and speaks through her. How good is possible if leaders behave like this there should be spirit of service among the leaders. “Rouges should make amends and reform themselves,” she said.Bonalu is one of the major folk festivals of Telangana celebrated with a lot of pomp and gaiety all over the region.