Bangalore: For God’s sake, where is the CM?

TNN

Bangalore, 27 October 2010: If you want to know where chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is these days, just check out the temples -- those in God’s Own Country too.

 

With the fate of his government still hanging in the balance, Yeddyurappa is seeking divine blessings by indulging in pujas ostensibly to nullify the doshas (evil effects) of the `graha’ (planet) in his horoscopes.

 

 

" In the last 15 days, the CM has visited at least 32 temples, including two prominent temples in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, according to his personal assistants, who customarily accompany him to the temples.

 

Last week, Yeddyurappa visited the famous Kollur Mookambika temple, an important seat of Shakti worship located in the picturesque surroundings at the foot of the Western Ghats in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district. Energy minister Shobha Karandalaje had accompanied him and the visit coincided with her birthday.

 

A week preceding their visit, Shobha had fasted for seven days by only partaking fruits and water to invoke divine help to save the first BJP government in the South India. A few months after she was removed from Yeddyurappa cabinet, she had also visited Mansarovar and had a ritual bath in the sacred lake.

 

When the dissident activities began in the first week of October, Yeddyurappa had visited the historic Rajarajeswari Temple at Taliparamba in Kannur district located in `God’s Own Country’ (Kerala).

 

"When in trouble or when he wants to seek better fortunes in his political career, he makes it a point to visit this temple as he strongly believes that the Goddess will save him from any crisis,’’ one of the aides of the CM said.

 

Yeddyurappa had first visited this temple soon after he assumed office as CM in 2008. Last year also he had visited the temple during the height of the dissidence war led by Reddy brothers.

 

It is just not the Gods in South India, Yeddyurappa has implicit faith in Vaishnodevi. According to the aide, during the power transfer, which briefly came to Yeddyurappa and was taken away, the news that he was going to become the CM came while ascending the steps to Vaishnodevi temple.

 

Mid-way during the present crisis, the CM also made a brief visit to Lord Venkateshwara temple and Sri Kalahasti temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Shirdi Saibaba temple at Shirdi in Maharashtra.

 

The CM has been seen at many temples and religious places of worship in Bangalore, especially a day before the first and second trust vote held on October 11 and 14.

 

CM’s TEMPLE-HOPPING

 

* Lord Venkateshwara temple, Tirupati, AP

* Sri Kalahasti temple, Tirupati, AP

* Shirdi Saibaba temple, Shirdi in Maharashtra

* Gaali Anjeneya temple on Mysore Road

* Dodda Ganesha and Bull temple in Basavanagudi

* Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Thyagarajanagara

* Sri Raghavendra temple in Basavangudi

* Kollur Mookambika and Krishna temples in Udupi

* Chamudeshwari temple in Mysore

* Male Mahadeshwara temple in Chamarajanagar