This story is from December 8, 2018

Temple runs and special prayers: Netas trying it all for a poll win

As Dec 11 draws closer, famous temples in Madhya Pradesh are in demand. Baglamukhi temple in Agar Malwa and Peetambra Peeth in Datia - two temples of goddesses are a must visit for politicians not only from MP but also those from the bordering states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Aspirants visit the temple to get tickets and then to ensure an electoral win.
Temple runs and special prayers: Netas trying it all for a poll win
Representative image
Key Highlights
  • As December 11 draws closer, famous temples in MP are in demand for special pujas to propitiate the deity and seek divine help
  • Mahakal temple in Ujjain is an all-time favourite for politicians, but these days Baglamukhi Mata Mandir at Nalkheda is where the netas are making a beeline
BHOPAL: The countdown for results day has begun, and the politicians in MP are leaving no stone unturned to charm the lady luck.
As December 11 draws closer, famous temples in the state are in demand for special pujas to propitiate the deity and seek divine help.
Baglamukhi temple in Agar Malwa and Peetambra Peeth in Datia - two temples of goddesses in the state famous for such pujas and rituals are a must visit for politicians not only from MP, but also those from the bordering states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

The staff here are busy with demands for special rituals. Mahakal temple in Ujjain is an all-time favourite for politicians, but these days Baglamukhi Mata Mandir at Nalkheda is where the netas are making a beeline.
Aspirants visit the temple to get tickets, and once they do they visit again to perform special rituals to ensure an electoral win. "There are no shortcuts here and all pujas are done as per rituals. It takes about seven hours for 20 pandits to chant slogans that can ensure a win for a candidate. One-day puja costs about Rs30,000 while some politicians book five-day puja or even more to please the goddess to win the poll battle. Besides, secret special pujas to keep enemies at bay are performed wherein pandits chant mantras for days. It costs Rs60,000 and more," informed Pandit Ashish Kasera of the temple.

Those who are tied up in the poll arena and cannot spare time at this crucial hour send their relatives or representatives. Daughter-in-law of Rajasthan chief minister, Vasundhara Raje Scindia visited the temple two days ago.
There is a long list of candidates from BJP, Congress and other parties visiting the temple. Two such leaders are Krishna Gaur and Akash Vijayvargiya. Gaur is contesting from Govindpura seat in Bhopal - vacated by her father-in-law, Babulal Gaur while Akash, son of BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, is contesting from Indore-3 seat. Gaur told TOI, "I visited Baglamukhi Mata Mandir before getting the ticket and visited the temple recently after polling. I always seek blessings of Baglamukhi Mata. I wanted to visit soon after getting the ticket, but could not due to time constraint. But, our pandit performed the puja. It is a very sacred place in which our family has a strong belief."
Akash Vijayvargiya too confirmed to TOI about visiting the temple a day earlier. Our family has always been seeking the blessings of the mata, he added.
BJP candidate from Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma and Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Chouhan are among the ones who visited temple after polling. The temple pandits said around 2,000 hawans have been performed by different politicians in the past few days. "It is matter of individual's faith and revealing names of politicians would not be correct," Kasera said.
Pitambra Shakti Peeth Datia and Mahakal temple in Ujjain are also in demand. Bigwigs like BJP chief Amit Shah, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia visited the temples ahead of polling.
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