Karnataka to perform special poojas of Rs 18.5 crore for rain
PTI, The Hindu
Bangalore, 20 Jul 2012: With Karnataka staring at its worst drought in 42 years, the BJP government is seeking divine help for rain and has asked 37,000 temples in the state to conduct ‘special poojas’ that will cost Rs 18.5 crore.
A circular has been sent to the 37,000 temples under the Muzrai (Religious Endowment) department for ‘special poojas’ to propitiate rain gods, Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivasa Poojari told reporters here on Friday. The state is reeling under severe drought and drinking water scarcity.
In this 2008 photograph the then Karnataka Minister for Municipalities and Local Bodies Balachandra L. Jarkiholi offers "bagina" to Ghataprabha river at Hidkal dam in Belgaum district.
Priests perform pooja sitting in utensils filled with water during "Parjanya Varun Yagna", to invoke the rain god, in Ahmedabad.
Priests perform Varuna Yagam in Hyderabad on July 4, 2009.
An amount of Rs 5,000 has been sanctioned to each temple for performing the “special pooja” on July 27 and August 2, he said, as 123 of the around 175 taluks were in the grip of a severe drought.
The decision has, however, come in for some flak with JDS leader M C Nanaiah criticising the state government’s decision.
Mr. Nanaiah said in the Legislative Council that instead of spending Rs 18.5 crore to perform special poojas the state government could spend the same amount to take up drought relief works.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, soon after assuming charge, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 17 in New Delhi and sought an immediate Central aid of Rs 2,000 crore.
Write Comment | 
E-Mail To a Friend |
Facebook |
Twitter |
Print | Comments on this Article | |
| Mark, Udyavara | Mon, July-23-2012, 4:48 |
| What a waste. Instead of praying for rains, they should do so for good behavior and attitudes. This goes to say how idiotic mentality we people carry. Worst, educated people of the nation don t raise a brow to condemn the same. Politicians in the country are no better than blind folks; leading us folks... you know where? | |
| Francis J. Saldanha, Moodubelle / Bahrain | Sat, July-21-2012, 12:18 |
| Am sure these sorts of decisions and wasting public money to please the rain "God" will definitely have a negative impact on the decision makers. This is not good governance at all!! | |
| Benedict Noronha, Udupi | Fri, July-20-2012, 10:24 |
| Puja is good But let the political babus repent their sins of wasting precious time in the assemblies , resort camps and also fooling the people all these FOUR years. God must be angree with them. Let them at their own cost (not at Governments cost)perform poojas and pray for better environment sufficient rains and good crops. Let us all pray that these leaders mend their ways and change their behaviour, attitude and give what is better for the good of Common mans living.God Grant these leaders serenity to lead a clean and clear life and work for the good of the voters sincerely. | |
| Ronald Sabi, Moodubelle | Fri, July-20-2012, 1:17 |
| Total failures by any standards!! Joker of the year 2012!! We must vote educated candidates! Religion, Puja and faith is for personal life! Pity we elect gamars! They pay our money for poojas! Pooja and prayer need no money! My God....where we are heading to? People around world must be laughing at us!!! That is no concern!!! Attitude of our people is a real concern!!!! Which is way out now!!???? New minister with new fanatic idea! He feels nothing wrong about it.....Tell me about it!!! With 18.5 corers invested in public project can fetch better result than puja fee!!!! Can God from any religion save this state!! Though God is one for all religion????? | |
Now open at Al Qusais
Weekly e-Magazine
Call : 91 9482810148
Konkani Literature World
