This story is from March 24, 2019

Riding cult of vegetarianism, Yogi goes to poll battle today

Riding cult of vegetarianism, Yogi goes to poll battle today
Shakumbhari Devi temple
LUCKNOW: When chief minister Yogi Adityanath kicks off his Lok Sabha campaign on Sunday from the famous Shakumbhari Devi temple at Saharanpur on Sunday, he will be sending out a message to his core voter as the deity is associated with the cult of vegetarianism. Legend goes Goddess Shakumbhari did penance for 100 years and ate vegetarian food once a month.
For Yogi, whose cow agenda has seen the government splurge thousands of crores to protect stray cattle, his campaign launch from the temple will woo followers when the first phase of election kicks off during Navratras.
Also, the party claims he’s the first chief minister to pay obeisance at the shrine, which is 40km from Deoband where Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Ajit Singh will blow the poll bugle next month. Shakumbhari Devi is an incarnation of Durga and the temple is considered among 51 shakti peeths. Located 30km from Muzaffarnagar and 40km from Saharanpur, the temple is believed to be the place where Durga performed penance and slew demon king Mahishasur.
The deity also finds mention in Durga Saptashati. Shukratal, a lake in the temple’s vicinity, is also revered as several sages meditated and attained moksha here.
Another myth around Shakumbhari is about the demon, Durgam, who spread terror by inflicting drought on earth for 100 years. To save earth, Durga incarnated as Shakumbhari on earth and started crying. According to mythology, her tears triggered a flood that killed the demon and saved earth.
The temple dates back to several centuries, but a more modern architecture stands on its ruins. The UP government has pledged to develop the Shakumbhari Devi Temple and Shukratal with funds allocation in the budget.
Sources in BJP said the temple was chosen by the CM to start the election campaign for multiple reasons. “The temple has a massive following in at least five states, including Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, UP and Himachal Pradesh. The CM’s visit will send out a message to the core BJP vote-bank in these states. We will bring a spiritual revolution to ensure Modiji’s return,” said Chandra Mohan, party spokesperson.
The CM will reach Saharanpur at 11 am on Sunday and proceed to the temple, before addressing a rally near the temple and then leave for Agra. Mohan said the CM is expected to address multiple issues and focus on development and Hindutva. “Yogi will talk about the BSP-SP-RLD alliance’s minority appeasement and how his government carried out development work in the Saharanpur area. The CM is expected to talk about Rs 10 crore sanctioned for a university and also his government’s efforts to stop exodus of Hindus from villages in west UP,” he said.
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