Anticipation of rain: From frog marriages to cloud seeding

For several days, the main topic of discussion in the country is 'scorching hot'. This discusswould not be stopped unless there is rain. The Meteorological Department renewed heat alert several times in the country. Usually during this period in Boishakh, there is cry for rain across the country as it is burning in unbearable heat. Perhaps this is why prayers for rain have become part of our folk culture. Prayers for rain have been practiced for many years as per religious practices as well. However, mankind took control over the extreme behavior of the nature long ago. Countries such as China, United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia frequently apply cloud seeding method to initiate rain artificially.

According to the Meteorological Department, when the temperature is between 36 and 38 degrees celsius, it is called a mild heat wave. Temperatures within 40 degrees celsius are called moderate heat waves. And if it rises above 42 degrees celsius, it is a severe heat wave. The temperature is under control if it rains. But usually that doesn't happen very often. So, prayer for rain becomes inevitable for believers. This time is no exception. Muslims are offering Istikhara prayers according to their religious belief. Apart from the capiral, such prayers are being offered in different parts of the country. Besides the religious belief, locals in many part of the country, especially in Rajshahi district, arrange frog marriages. They believe it will bring rain. Although the Meteorological Department says in their forecast, rain is unlikely before the first week of May.

Frog marriage
Bhekuli Biya, also known as frog marriage, is a traditional practice deeply rooted in Indian subcontinent. Also referred to as "Mandooka Parinaya" and "Banger Biye" in various regions of Bangladesh takes place during the dry summer months with the aim of invoking rain.

Apart from this, some rituals like Kula Namani, Taltala Shinni, Hudumdyao Puja or Megh Puja, Hudma Gan, Punyipukur Brata are being practiced here. A male frog is married to a female frog through certain rituals in the frog marriage ceremony. Soil, water, trees, and animals are used in this ceremony. The frogs were then released into a pond in pairs. Those who perform this ritual believe that rain will fall after this marriage. However, there is no clear explanation as to when, where and why this folk culture originated. Hirendranath Mitra's Folk Festivals and Folk Art of Bengal, Santosh Kumar's Folklore Books of Bengali Life mention the ritual of frog marriages.

Talatlar Shinni (special victuals offered underneath palmyra palm tree)
Before crossing any village to the crop fields, rows of palm trees could be seen. Village youths use to visit doors to doors and collect milk, rice and molasses as donations during drought. Then a special meal called shinni is prepared with these ingredients under those palm trees. After having the food, people offer prayers to seek rain.

Kula Namani
Kula Namani has a similarity with shinni of Taltala. In this method, a kula (keeper tray made of bamboo and cane) on a bronze pitcher is placed on the head of the boy or girl. The pitcher holds gold and silver- soaked water soaked in with mango leaves. The face of the youth carrying the kula is smeared with white lime and ink which is considered to be symbolic of clouds. With this kula, many people went to village houses and collect ingredients to cook khichuri. After prayers for rain, khichdi is distributed among the villagers.

Cloud worship/mud smearing
Megh Puja is organized from the middle of the month of Chaitra to the beginning of the month of Baisakh. Only women sing for rain after certain rituals. Men have no access here. And in some areas, women go to certain houses with pitchers filled with water for rain. They made mud by pouring water there and sprinkled mud on each other. They believe that rain can also fall through it.

Istikhara prayers
It is said in the hadith number 1951 of Sahih Muslim Hadith Sharif and in the hadith narrated by Anas Ibnu Malik (RA) it is said, 'A person entered the mosque through the door towards Darul Qaza on Friday. Then the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, was giving a sermon while standing. That person stood in front of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and said, O Rasulullah! Wealth was destroyed. The road was separated. Pray to Allah for rain. Anas (RA) said, Rasulullah (SAW) raised both hands and said, O Allah! give us rain O Allah! give us rain O Allah! give us rain. Anas (RA) said, By Allah, we did not see any cloud in the sky. There were no houses between us and Sala Hill. Suddenly, a cloud like an arrow emerged from behind the mountain. When it reached mid-air it dissipated. Then it started raining. Rabi said, By Allah, we have not seen the sun for a week.

On the following Friday, a man entered through that door. Then the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, was giving a sermon while standing. That person stood in front and said, Ya Rasulullah! Wealth was destroyed. Roads were destroyed. Pray to Allah for the rain to stop.Rabi said, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam raised both his hands and said, O Allah! Let it rain not on us, but around us. O Allah! In dune valleys and where vegetation occurs. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, then the cloud moved away. We got out, and walked through the heat of the sun. Sharik (RA) said, I asked Anas, was this person the previous person? He replied, I don't know.Muslims for centuries offer Istikhara prayers for rain. Istikhara prayers are being offered in different parts of the country including the capital Dhaka this year.

Cloud seeding
The history of artificial precipitation is something new. History tells us that 78 years ago in 1946, Vincent Shaefer first discovered the principle of artificial precipitation. On November 13 of the same year, along with another Nobel laureate scientist, Irving Langmuir, succeeded in experimentally producing artificial rainfall. In this method, dry ice of minus 78 degrees is released on the clouds by airplane or rocket. In this, the convective clouds come down as rain. China alone has produced more artificial rainfall than all the countries in the world combined. Meteorologists predict the possibility of heavy rain during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Scientists in China dismissed those fears by producing massive artificial rainfall just days before the Olympics began. In this way, different countries of the world produce artificial rainfall. However, this method of producing artificial rainfall is expensive and cannot be applied at will.