No Rain, Only Gulab Jamuns: Bhopal Residents Turn To Donkeys To Woo Monsoon

As the monsoon continues to remain sluggish over Madhya Pradesh’s capital, residents of Bhopal turned to an unusual yet deeply rooted local tradition- feeding gulab jamuns to donkeys in the hope of attracting much-needed rainfall. The unique ritual, performed amid a prolonged dry spell and humid weather conditions, saw residents gather in large numbers to offer the popular Indian sweet to donkeys. Videos and photographs from the event quickly spread across social media, drawing both amusement and curiosity from users across the country.

Visuals showed people carefully feeding gulab jamuns to the animals while others watched, recorded videos and shared the scenes online. The event soon became a talking point, with many social media users expressing

surprise at the unusual monsoon ritual.

According to locals, the practice is an age-old folk tradition observed whenever rainfall is delayed or monsoon activity remains weak. Participants believe the symbolic gesture helps appease Lord Indra, the Hindu god of rain, and encourages favourable weather conditions.

Residents said the ritual was organised as an act of faith at a time when Bhopal continues to receive below-normal rainfall, raising concerns among people hoping for a stronger monsoon spell in the coming weeks.

“We have seen our elders follow this tradition for years. Whenever rains are delayed, people feed sweets to donkeys and pray for good showers,” a participant said.

While meteorologists point to atmospheric and climatic factors as the drivers of monsoon patterns, such traditional practices remain an integral part of community life in many parts of India. Similar rain-invoking rituals have been observed over the years in both rural and urban regions, reflecting the enduring influence of local customs and beliefs.

Whether the ritual succeeds in persuading the rain gods remains to be seen, but for now, the city’s donkeys appear to be enjoying an unexpected feast while residents keep their fingers crossed for the arrival of much-awaited showers.