Poll campaign keeps temples busy

As Assembly polls draw closer, many temples in the City have suddenly become the most sought-after places.

Every auspicious day is being celebrated in a lavish manner and special poojas have become the order of the day. Aspiring candidates and senior party leaders in different constituencies have resorted to “temple politics” to connect with the voters while gearing up for the big day.

A few days ago, JD(S) workers in Govindarajanagar constituency organised a special pooja at the Vishnu Temple located on the main road in Govindarajanagar. Members of residents’ welfare associations and other opinion makers were personally invited to the pooja. Banners of the JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and other party leaders participating in the pooja were also displayed.

The pooja was well organised and going by the word of a local corporator, it did help party workers to strengthen the party’s base in the constituency, which has been a bastion of the Congress and BJP for many years now.

A local BJP leader, who is hopeful of getting a party ticket from Chikpet constituency, has booked dates in five temples in the constituency for special poojas. He has made it a point to invite local traders for these poojas. Upcoming Sankashatahara Chaturthi on March 30, Papamochani Ekadashi on April 8, Ugadi on April 11 and Vaishakha Sankranti on April 13 are some of the occasions when poojas will be held, he said.

Leaders who have got assurance for tickets are also not sparing any efforts. Health and Family Welfare Minister Arvinda Limbavali, who is said to be the BJP nominee from the Mahadevapura constituency, made it a point to offer special pooja at Kashi Vishweshwara Temple in Kadugodi on Monday. Limbavali, along with his supporters, is already doing campaign rounds. A sitting legislator from the constituency in Bangalore West, Limabavali felicitated priests of prominent temples in the constituency a few weeks ago, before the election code of conduct came into force.

Increased demand

On the other hand, temple managements are happy about the increased demand for poojas.

“We are getting at least 25 requests per day seeking pooja slots on auspicious days. Most of these requests are coming from local political party workers. Ugadi, Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanthi are in great demand,” said a staff member from Ganesha Temple in Chandra Layout.