MEGHRAJA VISARJAN- BHARUCH

Meghraja Visarjan festival is celebrated in the cultural city of Bharuch in Gujarat, located on the banks of river Narmada at a distance of about 70kms from Vadodara. The festival has been celebrated by the Bhoi community of Gujarat for about 200 years. The festival is celebrated from 07 to 10 day during the holy month of Shravana. The Idol of Meghraja (Lord Indra or lord of rain) is made from the soil of Narmada river and is worshiped for 25 days during the festival. It is said that around 200 years ago there was a severe drought in this region. The descendants of the Bhoi community made a 5.5 ft idol of Meghraja from the soil of Narmada river and worshiped it the whole night. Even after their immense hard work there were no signs of rain. The villagers were furious, they decided that if it does not rain the next morning they will destroy the Meghraja idol and the very next day it started raining miraculously. Thereafter, this day is celebrated as the Meghraja Visarjan festival every year by the Bhoi community. The festivities can be seen at only one place in the entire Gujarat.