Ancient science of weather forecasting in India with special reference to rainfall prediction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v25i4.2422Keywords:
Almanac, Varahmihir, Brihatsanhita, bio-indicators, Nakshatra, Indigenous knowledge, Weather forecastingAbstract
The monsoon on the Indian subcontinent remains a seasonal occurrence that all inhabitants of the subcontinent desire. Modern scientific knowledge of methods of rain forecasting has originated recently. However, traditional indigenous wisdom is peculiar to our country. In the past, India had a magnificent scientific and technical legacy. Even today, it is common that village astrologers (pandits) are right in a surprisingly high percentage of their rain predictions. Scientists and local traditional farmers have a long history of astronomical research and treatises that predict rainfall. They use different methods to forecast rainfall conditions based on numerous panchangs, almanac bio-indicators (Bhoum method), non-bio-indicators (Antariksh method), and predict the likely behavior of climate in the planting season. Rainfall forecasting also aids in the planning of operations by agriculturists, builders, water supply engineers, and others. All mortals from the subcontinent have looked at it from their own perspective, and it continues to be the subject of intense multi-dimensional engagement. The monsoon has provided a means of life for numerous civilizations while also shaping the drainages and palaeo-geography of the subcontinent. The objective of this article is to document some indigenous knowledge for forecasting climate and environmental dynamics towards community resilience.
References
Adhvaryu, R. (1974). Prachin Varsha Vignan, Gujarat Loksahitya Academy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Balkundi, H.V. (1998). Measurement of rainfall in Ancient India. Asian Agrihist., 2:pp.33-38.
Balkundi, H.V. (1999). Commentary in “KrushiParashar” translated by Sadhale, N. Agri History bulletin No.2, Pub. by Asian Agri-History Foundation. Secunderabad.
Bedekar, A. (2002). Krishi Hawaman Shastra Khagoliya Paddhativa Paramparik paddhati ya madhye Vaidyananik va Ganiti siddhant sambandh prasthapit karta yeto ka? Va Tyasathi Atyadhunik Yantranecha Sahabhag, (Vernacular Marathi), In: Proceedings of seminar on “Prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practice (Eds. M.C. Varshneya & V.B. Vaidya)”, 39: pp.100-104.
Bhat, M.R. (1981). Bruhat sanhita of Varahmihira.New Delhi.
Bhat, V.V., Joshi, R.M. and Modak, R.B. (2002). Astrological causes of cold weather. In: Proceedings of “seminar on Prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practices” (M.C. Varshneya and V.B. Vaidya)., 39: pp. 52-57.
Bhat, V.V., Vaidya, V.B. and Joshi, R.M. (2005). Indian Technology for Rain Prediction and Water Management. In: Proceedings of International Conference on “Agricultural Heritage of Asia” (Ed. by Dr. Y.L. Nene). Asian Agri-History Foundation., pp. 137-146. Secunderabad (India).
Desai, A., Damle, K.S. and Chimote, L.D. (2015). Rain Forecast by Astrology. In “National Conference on Ancient Science and Technology: Retrospection and Aspiration (ASTRA)”., pp. 1-4.
Dube, U.S. (1986). Prachin Varsha Vidnyan. Shri. Hanuman Jyotish Mandir., pp.1-199, Kanpur (UP).
Golakia, B.A. (1992). Proverbs for predicting the moods of Monsoon. Honey Bee., 3(1): pp. 12.
Gupta, S. L. (1993).Traditional Agricultural Knowledge and its Rationality in Kharwar Community of Varanasi District(U.P.).Unpublished Ph D Thesis, Department of Extension Education, BHU, Varanasi.
Iyengar, R.N. (2004). Description of rainfall variability in Brihat Sanhita of Varahmihira. Curr. Sci., 87(4):pp.531-533.
Iyengar, R.N. (2009). Monsoon rainfall cycles as depicted in ancient Sanskrit texts. Curr. Sci., 97(3), 444-447.
Joshi, S.R. (2004). Parjanya. A book in vernacular Marathi. S.R. Joshi. pp. 1-97, Sudin, Lam road, Deolali camp, Nashik – 422401.
Kanani, P.R., Munshi, M.A.,Makwana, D.K and Savalia, V.J. (1995). Bhadalinu Bhantar Ketlu Sachu?, Krushi Jeevan (Special Issue on Varshad Agahi)., pp. 26.
Kanani, P.R., Malviya, D.D.,Munshi, M.A.,Savalia, V.J. and Verma, P.D. (2002). Sky: As a slate for predicting moods of monsoon. In: Proceedings of “seminar on prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practices” (M.C. Varshneya and V.B. Vaidya)., 39: pp. 58-83.
Kanani, P.R., Munshi, M.A., Popat, M.N and Savalia, V.J. (2005). Peasantry led participatory research on validation of traditional meteorological aphorism in Saurashtra, India. In: “Seminar on Parjanya-2005”., pp. 1-24. Ahmedabad,
Lele, D.M. (2002). Jyotish shastrachya adhare havaman va parjanya (Vernacular Marathi) .In :Proceedings of “seminar on Prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods (Eds. M.C. Varshneya and V.B. Vaidya.)”., pp. 132-136.
Mangaonkar, K.V. (1979). Havaman Jyotish (Astro-Meteorology).pp: 1-40. Sangli.
Mishra, S. K. (1998).Weather forecasting in Almanacs Relating to Farming Operations And its Relevance in today’s Agriculture. PhD Thesis, Department of Extension Education, BHU, Varanasi.
Moore, P. (2000). The data book of Astronomy, Institute of Physics Publishing., pp. 1-518 Bristol (UK).
Pande, S. (2014). Bhartiya Varsha Vidnyan, JyotishTatvank, Kalyan magazine, Gita Press pp.375-378. Gorakhpur.
Pant, G.B. (2002).Historical perspective on weather and climate. In: proceedings of seminar on prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practices (Eds. M.C. Varshneya and V.B. Vaidya)., 39: pp. 1-3.
Pisharoty, P.R. (1993). Plant that predicts Monsoon. Honey Bee. 4(4):12.
Ramanathan, A.S. (1987). Contribution to weather science in Ancient India, V- Principles of forecasting rainfall in Ancient India (Long range). Indian j. hist. sci., 22 (3), 175-190.
Ravi, S.K., Pochaiah.M., Murthy, V.R.K. and Ramakrishna,Y.S. (2008). Indigenous Rain Forecasting in Andhra Pradesh. Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture. 59: pp. 67. Santoshnagar, Saidabad P.O., Hyderabad
Riske, K.B. (1997). Astrometeorology - planetary power in weather forecasting.American Federation of Astrologers., pp. 1-190, Tempe, Arizona, USA.
Sadhale, N. (1996). Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda (The Science of Plant Life by Surapala). Asian Agri-History Foundation., pp. 104. Secunderabad , India.
Sadhale, N. (1999). Krishi Parashara (Agriculture by Parashara). Asian Agri-History Foundation. Secunderabad 500 009, India.
Savalia, V.J., Kher, A.O., Kanani, P.R. and Munshi, M.A. (1991). Pashu Pakshini Cheshta ne Adhare Megh ne Endhan. Narmada Kisan Parivar Patra (Gujarati), pp.8.
Seetaramayya, P., Bhavsar, S.N.,Venugopal, T., and Bardhan, C. (2002).Traditional Astro-meteorological forecasting in India - A Review. In: proceedings of “seminar on Prediction of Rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practices( Eds. M.C. Varshneya and V.B. Vaidya)”.,39:pp.14-39.
Selvanayagum, M. (1991). Some of the Traditional Beliefs Currently in Vogue at Kovilpatti. Honey Bee., 2(2), IIM, Ahmedabad.
Shah, D.D. (2002). Monsoon rainfall forecasting for Saurashtra and Pune for Agriculture on Astronomical basis. In Proceedings of Seminar on “Prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practices (Eds. M.C. Varshneya and V.B.Vaidya”)”., 39: pp. 40-51.
Sivanarayana, G. (1993).Indigenous Technical Knowledge and its Communication Pattern in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Ph D Thesis., Department of Extension Education, BHU, Varanasi.
Srinivasan, T.M. (1976). Measurement of rainfall in ancient India. Indian J. Hist.Sci., 11:pp.148-157.
Trivedi, J.N. (1986). Bhadali Vakyo, Pub. Sastu Sahitya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Vaidya, V.B. (2013). Ancient Science of Rainfall Prediction and Enhancement, an Invited Talk in National Seminar on “Innovation in Traditional Agriculture”. Asian Agri-History Foundation, Uttarakhand Chapter (AAHFUC), College of Agriculture, G.B.P.U. & T., Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar, Uttarakhand, pp. 1-30.
Vaidya, V.B. and Kale, N. (2014). Review of Vedic Rain Forecasting and Rain Induction Science and Technology, Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada., 43:pp. 22-43.
Vaidya, V.B. (2016). Ancient science of weather forecasting and rainfall enhancement, In Book entitled “Metaphilosophy of Creation: Cosmos and beyond Cosmos,Notion Press, pp:201-236, McNichols road, Chetput, Chennai (TN),
Vanadeep, K., Murty, S.S.R., and Krishnaiah, M. (2012). Meteorological predictions preserved in the Panchangam versus real time observations – a case study over Tirupati region-a semiarid tropical site in India. Indian J Sci Technol.,5 (4):pp.2491-2509.
Varshneya, M.C., Bhat, V.V. and Joshi, R.M. (2002). Nakshatra-varsha almanac prepared for Maharashtra. Mr. Vijay Bhat., pp.1-22. I-1, Nirant Vasahat, Bibvewadi, Pune-38 (MS).
Varshneya, M.C. (2007). Climate and Weather Forecast for Agriculture. A lecture delivered at Indian Science Congress., pp. 1-18. Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu).
Varshneya, M.C., Vaidya, V.B., Pandey, Vyas, Shekh, A.M. and Karande, B.I. (2008). Validation of Astro-meteorological Rainfall forecast for Gujarat. J. Agrometeorol., 10:pp.345-348.
Venugopal, T., Seetaramayya, P., Bhavsar, S.N., and Bardhani, C. (2002). Role of planetary conjunctions and aspects in weather forecasting over tropics. In: Proceedings of Seminar on “Prediction of rainfall based on Astrological Methods and Local Practices (Eds. M.C. Varshneya and V.B. Vaidya)”., 39: pp. 84-99.
Verma, L. R. (1998). A Glimpse of Indigenous Technology Knowledge for Watershed Management in Upper North-West Himalayas of India (Aparna Negi and Prem N. Sharma–Eds.).WATMATEC, YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry,:pp.1-97. Solan, H.P. and PWMTA, Netherlands/ FAO (UN), Katmandu, Nepal
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2023 VIDYADHAR B. VAIDYA, VYAS PANDEY, SUVARNA DHABALE
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This is a human-readable summary of (and not a substitute for) the license. Disclaimer.
You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.