[ m o n s o o n s   :   t h e   l e g e n d ]

In India, people believe the monsoon is a powerful force, a gift from the gods. Whether or not the people are pious and faithful determines whether the monsoon will be nourishing rains or destruction. The rains can bless the land or cause tragic devastation. Seventh-century poet Bhartrihari described it this way:

Flashing streaks of lightning,
Drifting fragrance of tropical pines,
Thunder sounding from gathering clouds,
Peacocks crying in amorous tones -
How will long-lashed maids pass
These emotion-laden days in their lovers’ absence?

In Australia, the aborigines believe that leaving a cooking goanna or possum near the water’s edge creates a sizzling sound that annoys Ngalyod, the rainbow snake, who listens and crawls underground towards the noise. As he moves, thunder rumbles, skies darken, and monsoon rains come.

[ info ]: introduction - the legend - what's a monsoon? - causes of monsoons - summer monsoon - winter monsoon - references - glossary

[ reality ]: current events - real life stories - interviews

[ interact ]: multimedia - simulations - classroom - activities - quizzes - message board - resources

[ general ]: about - win our award - awards we've won - guestbook - help - contact us - sitemap

[ forces ]: avalanches - droughts - earthquakes - flooding - fog & mist - forest fires - hurricanes - landslides - monsoons - phenomena - severe storms - snowstorms - tornadoes - tsunamis - volcanoes - windstorms - main page