(Incident captured in two different angles by our photographers)
In the agricultural regions of India livelihood of millions of farmers depend on the monsoons. The complex annual rain phenomena baffles even scientists who struggle to predict it. But in Hoovina Hadagali in the state of Karnataka farmers have found a way to read the divine mind if they are destined to have a good monsoon season in the coming year. This year on February 18 thousands of people gathered at a fair and anxiously waited for local shaman, Goravayya Ramappa, to make his annual prediction on the rains. Following an ancient custom, Goravayya climbed a tall bamboo pole and shouted that ‘Good rains will bring prosperity this year.” It is believed that if he gets the prediction right he will be struck down by an invisible bolt by gods who do not like to reveal their secret. If he fails to get it right he meekly climbs down the pole. But this year luckily he fell down to the waiting arms of his devotees who caught him safely. Later he also yanked off iron chain fastened to a stone showing off his supernatural strength which follows from getting the prophecy right.