Modi supporters seek divine help for BJP win in Karnataka
(Sourced from PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's supporters are offering potted tulsi plants at a famous shrine in Udupi (Karnataka), seeking divine help for the BJP to unseat the Congress in Karnataka. Forty-five-year-old devotee Keshavacharya travelled all the way from Shiruru village, 22 km from Udupi, to pray at the 800-year-old Sri Krishna temple for Modi and his party's success in the crucial May 12 Assembly polls.
At least 1-lakh tulsi plants are offered by devotees on a daily basis at the temple with a desire to get their personal wishes fulfilled. "I decided to offer it (tulsi plant) for Modi's success," he said Two other devotees Govind and Kumaraswami echoed similar views. Before taking part in the PM's first rally in the state, they had prayed at the temple.
The project to offer a lakh tulsi plants to Lord Krishna has been initiated by Palimar Mutt's Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami. The project is to dedicate one-lakh tulsi leaves of gold, estimated to cost around Rs 32cr, to the Lord during his tenure that will end in 2020. The plan is to adorn the roof of the sanctum of Sri Krishna Mutt with gold topping.
Asked if temple officials have come across devotees like Keshavarcharya, he said, "There may be. It is difficult to know with what prayers devotees visit the temple and offer tulsi plants. We never ask about it." The temple too has undertaken tulsi cultivation in around 14 acres in Udupi, Vedavasa Tantri added. After the puja, the tulsi plant is used for making ayurvedic medicines.
