495 26. Excessive rain and drought During droughts some religious rites were observed to welcome rain by conducting the "Varuna Japa” (Vedic prayer addressed to Varuna) in various temples, in order to pacify the wrath of Varuna, the "god of the rains and by performing the “Rudrabhisheka” (pouring of water on Siva Linga chanting the " Sri Rudra ", a part of Yajur Veda). Abishekam or abluton to the Nandi (the big Bull at the Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur) was also performed. Such ablutions were done in 1775, 1776, 1779, 1785, 1797, 1811, 1827, 1829, end 1830. ğ There was also downpour of heavy rain in some years. In 1812 remission of dues was announced. In 1826 all roads were damaged and repairs were effected. In 1843 it rained continuously for 8 days and the seedlings were damaged. In 1831 40 acres of land became submerged under water. In 1748 excess of rain caused havoc in Kivalur and Pandaravadai. --- we are at a loss to know the relief measures taken at large by the state during drought or otherwise. But when the British took over the reigns of government, the Maratha ruler donated a sum monthly to the samine relief fuhd. 27. the Market The price of essential commodities always depended up on the price of rice, the staple food of the country. One could purchase 34 Marakkals of paddy for 1 fanam, the cost of one kalarm of paddy being 3 fanams. If the cost of paddy was paid in cash then and there, 4 marakkal per kalam was given gratis. This tęstities to the scalcity of coins in those days. ---. Many were so poor that they were unable to purchase rice even though the price was very low. During the course of 80 years the price of rice rose only by 50%. The approximate quantity of commodities per fanam is given below: Salt 3; measures Oil 3+ seers Blackgram 14 measures Sesame 1 measure : Pepper 3% measures Asafoetida 4 pagoda weight Tamarind 10 seers Milk 10 seers Curd 10 seers Ghee 1 # seers 30 earthen pots 10 mangos (ripe)
