How Bandit procession by tribal women 'revived' rain in Rajasthan's Banswara district

JAIPUR: It's an ancient tradition that has stood the test of time. 'Dhaad', over a 100-year-old custom to please the rain gods, proved providential for Banswara as the skies opened up after the women of the district took out the ritual procession on Aug 23.

The district, known as the 'Cherrapunji of Rajasthan' due to the abundant rains it receives, had faced a 33% deficit rainfall till Aug 22 this monsoon. On Friday, the women decided to take matters into their own hands and revive the tradition after a gap of many years.

Dressed in traditional male attire - dhoti-kurta and turbans - and carrying sticks and swords, the women took out the procession, also known as the 'Bandit procession', to plead for rainfall and warning that a failure may lead to drought, food scarcity, theft and robberies. Pramila Bhatt, a 64-year-old resident of Banswara, said the rainfall had been scarce this monsoon.

Women march from Anand Puri area to Vageshwari Mata Temple
Jaipur: The procession began from Anand Puri area, went to Vageshwari Mataji temple in Barkota village and the ancient Gautameshwar Mahadev temple near the Anas river, startling villagers and passersby on the route at the sight of women marching spiritedly, wearing turbans, tilaks, bangles and shoes.

By evening, rainfall had begun in the region. The Met office in Jaipur also issued a red alert for heavy rain in Banswara and Dungarpur districts on Saturday (Aug 24), and the alert continued on Monday.

Prem Lata Bhatt, a 66-year-old woman who took part in the procession, said the rain started soon after the women left Tamtia village during the procession. The rainfall showed the importance of local customs and beliefs, said Ramesh Trivedi, a resident of Anand Puri.

"The women of Banswara have shown that sometimes, simple, time-honoured traditions are the best resources in the face of adversity," he said.