Mumbai's East Indian Community Revives Centuries-Old Rain Prayer Ritual Amid Monsoon Delay
As Mumbai faces a delayed monsoon and depleting water reserves, the East Indian community in Gorai revived a centuries-old rain prayer tradition on Tuesday. About 150 villagers participated in a solemn procession carrying a statue of St Anthony, with some devotees bearing stones on their heads to symbolise rain-bearing clouds. Parish Council member Switsy Henriques said the ritual was last organised 25 to 30 years ago. Nuns from the local convent joined the procession through the village.
The unique tradition involves carrying St Anthony's statue to water bodies while singing traditional prayers. Devotees stop at every Holy Cross along the route, invoking the saint with an ancient prayer in the local dialect seeking rain for the fields. Community member Walter Murzello explained that St Anthony is considered a miracle worker in their tradition. The decision to hold the ritual was made suddenly Tuesday morning after villagers discussed reports of the delayed monsoon.
