Belagavi: The assembly election has woken up the devotee in the politician, particularly those from North Karnataka. The
Renuka Devi temple at Yallammana Gudda also called as 'Elukollada Gudda' is now seeing a surge in the number of devotees with a political background.
The Soudatti Yallamma temple is known as one of the 'Shaktipeeth' of Goddess Durga. Hence several candidates from regional and national parties have visited the temple to seek the blessings of the goddess before filing nominations.
Basavraj Jiragyal, assistant executive officer, Shri Renuka temple, Yallammana Gudda said that devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh visit the temple in large numbers every day.
“Since the elections were announced, the number of political leaders visiting to temple has risen. A few days before to the announcement of the elections, ministers H K Patil, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Rudrappa Lamani visited the temple. The supporters of political parties have been offering special poojas for their parties’ victory. But no candidate has openly shown their party’s symbol or flags,” he added.
‘Same as last polls’
Pandit Yadiyurayya, the priest of the temple said, “Several politicians like Anand Mamani, Jagadish Metgud, Anand Chopra, Laxmi Hebbalkar, Sanjay Patil and Jagadish Shetter have visited the temple and offered special prayers. The visits by politicians will increase in the coming days until the polling day, like it was during the previous assembly elections.”
The priests at the temple say some candidates have performed 'Deed Namaskara', 'Urulu Seve', 'Haddalagi Tumbisuvudu' and other rituals wishing electoal success.
