Shut down in market, lunch in forest for rain in Gujarat

North Gujarat’s pilgrim town Ambaji’s markets are observing strike today to woo the rain God.

As the rain is delayed this monsoon, the traders and shop owners of Ambaji decided to observe a shut-down on Friday.

Following a traditional belief, they will travel with family to the forest outside the town and will have their lunch there. This custom is called ‘Van Bhojan’.

Local civic body ‘Ambaji Gram Panchayat’ on Thursday requested local schools to observe closure on Friday, so that students can participate in Van Bhojan.

Along with Van Bhojan, a prayer will be offered to ‘Indra Dev’ for rain.