DK Shivakumar atones for 2018 flight with silver toy copter gift in Ballari

BALLARI/GADAG: Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar made a peace offering of a silver toy helicopter at the Mailarlingeshwar temple in Huvinahaadagali taluk of Ballari on Friday for flying overhead in a chopper two years ago.
Temple authorities, devotees and Shivakumar himself believe that the flying visit, as opposed to the traditional padayatra made by worshippers, brought upon several setbacks, including raids and inquiries by central agencies.

Shivakumar took a holy bath (Rudra Muni Snana) in the water used to perform ‘Rudrabhishek’ to the deity at the temple premises. He also offered ‘Dirgha Danda Namaskar’. Temple sources said the Congress leader had committed sacrilege by flying over the temple in 2018 when lakhs of devotees come on foot during the annual Karnika (prophecy).
‘I visited temple to seek forgiveness’
Dharmakarta of the temple Venkappayya said Shivakumar offered prayers and sought forgivance from the deity for the mistake committed in ignorance.
“Unknowingly, I visited the holy place in a chopper. Later, I came to know that I had committed a mistake by doing so. Our party workers and leaders have already performed puja to the deity seeking blessings and a resolution. As per the wishes of party workers, I again visited the temple and offered prayers and asked Lord Mailarlingeshwara to forgive me. One of my party workers has donated a silver helicopter model,” Shivakumar said.
Congress workers have offered special puja at the temple on DKS’ behalf, in the belief that inquiries by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate are all part of the misfortune consequent to the copter visit. MLA PT Parameshwar Naik had offered puja to Mailaralingeshwara when the ED probe began.
After visiting the temple on Friday, Shivakumar also visited Dingaleshwar Math in Laxmeshwar taluk of Gadag district. He met Dingaleshwar Mahaswamiji, who led the campaign for separate religion status for Veerashaiva-Lingayats. Swamiji said it was a courtesy call.
After the 2018 assembly polls, Shivakumar apologised at a programme held in Laxmeshwar for the Siddaramaiah government’s intervention in the matter.