Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s extended family participated in a special homa at the Sharada Peetha in Sringeri on Thursday, apparently ahead of his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s entry into politics from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. This also marked the Chief Minister’s third visit to Sringeri since May, when he took charge.
This time, he was accompanied by his father, H.D. Deve Gowda, mother, Channamma, and wife, Anita Kumaraswamy, besides Mr. Nikhil. According to sources in the mutt, the family participated in Chandika Yaga on Thursday morning.
Revanna absent
Mr. Kumaraswamy’s elder brother and Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna and his family members, however, were conspicuous by their absence at the special puja. Rumours have it that the brothers do not see eye to eye on Mr. Nikhil’s entry into politics.
Mr. Gowda’s family has been visiting Sringeri for the last few decades. In an interview, Mr. Gowda had said freedom fighter late A.G. Ramachandra Rao took him to Sringeri for the first time, and since then, he has visited the place multiple times.
Mr. Gowda conducted Ati Rudra Maha Yagna – an 11-day ritual — here in January 2018, ahead of the Assembly elections. Mr. Kumaraswamy visited the seer at Sringeri two days before taking oath as Chief Minister and later in September and December. The Chief Minister was to conduct a special puja before presenting his budget last month, but cancelled it in the last minute.