GORKHA: With the onset of weather of hailstorms and wind, residents of Lapraka VDC in the northern part of the district are concerned about their crops such as wheat, barley, potatoes and maize being destroyed by the wrath of nature. To ward off the nature’s wrath, a meeting held on Saturday in the village has appointed Birbal Gurung and Sabi Gurung as shamans (jhankris) to offer puja.

Local school teacher, Krishna Neupane said that they had appointed wizards for the puja though Lamas had been doing the job till last year.

According to a local Raj Bahadur Gurung, the shaman will offer puja by playing their drum loudly. “After puja, no hailstorm will strike our area. Even if they occur, it will have no devastating effect.” During March-May, the shamans will be living at Bhumidanda. “Even the clouds vanish after they play the drum for puja,” he added.