WATCH: Bhopal Residents Feed Gulab Jamuns To Donkeys For A Surprising Reason

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Bhopal continues to wait for widespread monsoon showers, residents revived a centuries-old local tradition in an attempt to appease the rain gods. In an unusual sight, people gathered to feed gulab jamuns to donkeys, believing the ritual would help bring much-needed rainfall to the city.Videos from the event showed groups of residents surrounding donkeys and offering them the popular Indian sweet while others watched the ritual unfold. The unusual scenes quickly caught the attention of passersby, many of whom recorded videos and shared them on social media, where the clips have since gone viral.

According to locals, the practice is part of an old folk belief observed whenever the monsoon is delayed or rainfall remains insufficient. It is believed that feeding sweets to donkeys pleases Lord Indra, the Hindu deity associated with rain, who is then said to bless the region with timely showers.The ritual comes at a time when Bhopal has been witnessing hot, humid conditions and below-normal rainfall despite the monsoon season. With concerns growing over the prolonged dry spell, several residents participated in the ceremony, describing it as an act of faith and a way to pray for abundant rain.Although meteorologists attribute rainfall to atmospheric and climatic conditions, such traditional practices continue to be followed in different parts of the country during periods of delayed or weak monsoons. For many communities, these rituals represent a blend of cultural heritage, collective hope, and religious belief that has been passed down through generations.Meanwhile, videos of Bhopal residents feeding gulab jamuns to donkeys have spread widely online, drawing a mix of amusement, curiosity, and discussion about India's enduring folk traditions.