Sangareddy: Residents of Sivanagar in Jinnaram in Pathancheru mandal of the district on Wednesday flooded the sanctum-sanctorum of Siva temple till the Siva Lingam completely goes under water to appease the Rain Gods.

Commenting on the ritual, temple chairman Balraju Pujari said that the people, reeling under severe drought-like conditions, poured water in the main temple till the deity (Siva Lingam) is completely submerged.

He said the deity will remain submerged for five days. Women and youth of the village drew water from a well and flooded the main temple. The people believe that Lord Siva pleased by the ritual would bless them with rains.