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.

Worship of Shiva

In Jharkhand, where an elder was once beheaded in a crass ritual by a group, men lie on their backs outside a Shiva Temple holding a wooden staff in their right hand to bring rain.

Bonalu Festival

This peculiar festival of Hyderabad is for celebrating the monsoon and thanking the Gods for it. The festival sees men and women dressed in their best and some men even painted, to stage a performance as they parade the city's streets and proceed to pour water on the Goddess' feet to appease her.