Planetary Politics: Astrologers and Temples Shape Tamil Nadu Election Campaigns
While public campaigning is now in full swing across Tamil Nadu, the spiritual groundwork for the electoral battle was laid months in advance. Since December, astrologers and priests have been inundated with requests from political aspirants seeking divine intervention for victory.
The Rise of Rituals and Astrological Consultations
Kodambakkam-based astrologer K B Gopalakrishnan reveals he has been juggling numerous enquiries for the 'shatru samharam' ritual, believed to help vanquish political foes. "Candidates across party lines firmly believe these practices will secure their success," he explains.
Astrologer 'Nalla Neram' Nagaraj, who specializes in identifying auspicious times, reports a steady stream of consultations from DMK, AIADMK, and TVK candidates. "The first question is usually about securing a party ticket. Then they ask about winning prospects, and if not, when their political time will come," Nagaraj states. Candidates seek advice on everything from favorable colors to wear and election dates to which temples should launch their campaigns.
Temple Campaign Launches and Strategic Pilgrimages
Several prominent candidates have strategically begun their campaigns at major temples. AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami and BJP's Mylapore candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan both kicked off their campaigns at Chennai's Kapaleeswarar Temple. NTK's Seeman started his Karaikudi bid after offering prayers at Tiruttani Murugan Temple, possibly to counter the constituency's reputation as an "unlucky" seat. DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth, contesting in Virudhachalam, also visited the same temple.
Former Villivakkam candidate Sriharan Balan notes that some political parties quietly vet horoscopes during candidate selection. "Winnability isn't just political—it's planetary," Balan emphasizes, highlighting how celestial considerations influence practical decisions.
Auspicious Timing and Ritual Bookings
Astrologer Shelvi K Damodaran explains that candidates meticulously align campaign activities with astrologically favorable periods. They follow 'guligai,' a daily 90-minute window considered auspicious, and favorable hora periods like surya, budha, and chandra, while avoiding mars and saturn hours. "Timing is treated as a serious strategic element," Damodaran observes.
In Chennai temples, party cadres have been booking various rituals including thanga rathams (golden chariot pulls), archanas (chanting sessions), vada malai offerings (garlands made of urad dal vadais) for Anjaneyar, and annadanams (food service for the poor). Many have completed pilgrimages to significant temples like Tiruvannamalai Temple and Meenakshi Amman Temple, along with local guardian shrines.
HR&CE officials confirm that cadres across all political parties are actively booking rituals, with thanga ratham and other Murugan-related practices being particularly popular at Palani, Vadapalani, and Kapaleeswarar temples.
Interfaith Spiritual Pursuits
The quest for electoral fortune extends beyond Hindu temples. Churches report special mass bookings for candidates, while Islamic places of worship also see increased political visits. Ilyas Riyaji, head imam of Mandaveli mosque, notes, "Candidates frequently visit dargahs and other Islamic sites before elections, seeking blessings across faiths."
This widespread reliance on spiritual and astrological guidance underscores a unique dimension of Tamil Nadu's political landscape, where celestial calculations and religious rituals are seamlessly integrated into campaign strategies, reflecting a deep-seated belief that electoral success requires both political acumen and planetary alignment.
