Pokhara, May 13

Villagers in Warchowk, Saimrang VDC of Kaski sacrificed a male buffalo to appease the local goddess as crops wilted away because of the prolonged drought.

After it started to rain, locals began to rejoice and celebrate the downpour.

When protracted drought caused maize crops and vegetable patches to slowly die, the locals panicked and attempted to find a solution. “We are happy now because the sacrifice has brought rain,” said Paru Gurung, a local in the village.

Gurung added that when a local octogenarian Dhanraj Gurung suggested offering a buffalo to Goddess Lamtari, they carried out the ritual and it rained heavily the very same evening.

The villagers are now feasting and praising the powers of the goddess.

Ram Prasad Gurung, chairman of Lamtari Mai Temple Protection and Development Committee, said the locals have a tremendous amount of faith in the powers of the goddess. Gurung, a retired Indian Army officer, said Goddess Lamtari helped him get into the army.

“My son Nabin was also recruited into the British Army after he sought the goddess’s blessings seven years ago,” he added.

Villagers had been forced to not begin sowing their paddy fields because of the drought. Now, locals have begun cultivating their fields.