Summer is at hand and India doesn't seem to be prepared to cope with the drought that 2016 might bring with it. The only hope that we have might be a handful of beliefs that have been passed on by generations to cope with drought-like conditions and appease the rain gods. India is facing the worst water crisis in years There have been several instances of violence across the country over water and desperate attempts have been made, like the ones listed below, to bring rains and peace to the land.

Mud-caked children

In Nari Bari near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, it is common to see young boys lying on their backs caked in mud, nearly naked, with folded hands, asking the Gods to have mercy and make it rain.

Mass exile to the forest

Residents of certain villages in Telangana believe that if they leave their homes and spend the day in the forest as part of an exile, Vanavasam, the Gods will heed to their penance and make it rain. The people of Talivela village, including the wife of a senior minister, participated in one such ritual to help bring the rain.