Udupi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay added another chapter to the state's long association with Sri Mookambika Temple in Kollur with his visit to the shrine on Friday.
Grand Reception at the Temple
After arriving in the temple town, Vijay freshened up at the guest house and then proceeded to the temple. He was accorded a 'Poornakumbha Swagatha' by the authorities before offering prayers to Goddess Mookambika.
During his 25-minute visit, Vijay offered a silver sword weighing 1.6 kg, along with a silk saree and flowers.
Traditional Welcome for Tamil Nadu CM
Babu Shetty, Kollur temple committee president, said Joseph Vijay is the third Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to visit the shrine.
"We have accorded the Tamil Nadu CM a warm reception as part of the temple's tradition. He has not made any special vow but offered prayers with a 'Mangalarati'. The silver sword that he offered will be preserved in our temple's valuable collection of offerings. We presented him a portrait of the goddess embossed on a silver plate. After receiving the prasada, he left for the guest house," Shetty said.
Historical Bond with Tamil Nadu Leaders
The temple shares a decades-long religious bond with Tamil Nadu's political leaders, dating back to former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, who donated a golden sword in 1977. The offering remains one of the temple's prized possessions.
Over the years, several prominent personalities from Tamil Nadu, including former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the wife of another former Chief Minister MK Stalin, have visited the shrine.
Temple priest Ramachandra Adiga said the number of devotees from Tamil Nadu increased considerably after MGR donated the golden sword. He added that Jayalalithaa had seen the sword during her visit. He also recalled the diamond ornaments and diamond-studded crown donated by music composer Ilaiyaraaja. Vijay also viewed the golden sword during his visit.
Vijay Drives Himself to Airport
After the darshan, Vijay drove himself back to the guest house and later to Mangaluru International Airport. Earlier, he had arrived at the airport by a special flight and was received by Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader. He then travelled to Kollur by road.
Thousands of devotees and fans gathered outside the temple and along the route. Devotees were not allowed to enter the temple during the Tamil Nadu CM's visit.
