Celestial event spurs Jaya backers' fervour

It marks the transition of planet Jupiter from ‘Pisces (Meena raasi) to ‘Aries (Mesha raasi), believed to bring good fortune to people. Senior party leader of Kancheepuram West district M Kamaraj has been conducting a series of ‘homams’ (rituals) at Alangudi, to propitiate the gods and secure a favourable result for the party when Assembly election results are announced on May 13. The polling took place on April 13. Jayalalitha has returned to Chennai after a 20-day stay at her farm house in the Nilgiris, to await the announcement of the election results.

Senior AIADMK leader O Pannerselvam and others took part in the homams being performed by Kamaraj at Alangudi. “This is the 36th day I am performing these special ‘yagnas’ and it will go on till the day of counting on May 13, all praying for our leader,” Kamaraj told Deccan Herald.

Jayalalitha said she was satisfied with the Election Commission’s arrangements made for the votes counting on May 13. She declined to comment on the bail plea by the DMK MP Kanimozhi, being questioned by the CBI in connection with the 2G spectrum case.

Right from the wee hours, pilgrims thronged the Guru temple at Alangudi. They offered bright yellow shawls at the Abathahayeshwarar temple, situated close to three rivers, the Cauvery, Kollidam and Vennaru. The temple tank (kalyani) was created by Lord Vishnu’s disc, according to legend. The temple belongs to the early Chola period.