Yeddyurappa donates Rs 40 lakh to Tirunallar

KARAIKAL: Given the kind of problems that have been cropping up for Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, it is hardly surprising that he is an ardent devotee of one of the most feared and respected deities of the Hindu pantheon - Lord Saneeswara. In fact, he often prays at the Lord Saneeswara Temple at Tirunallar in Karaikal district. During a recent visit, he offered Rs 40 lakh as donation, which would be used to fund the construction of a golden rishaba vaganam for the ongoing Brahmorchavam festival. The work on the vaganam is on at the temple premises and would soon be completed. According to temple sources, the temple administration came up with a proposal to create a golden vaganam last year. The initial cost estimate for the vaganam involving 2 kg of gold and 25 kg of silver was about Rs 40 lakh. Meanwhile, the Karnataka chief minister came forward to donate the entire amount as contribution from the government.The sources added that due to rise in gold prices, the estimate escalated to Rs 65 lakh. The deficit has been met through donation from pilgrims.The annual Brahmorchavam festival began on May 24. The rishaba vaganam procession would be taken out on June 8 and the new vehicle is likely to be used for the procession. Plans are afoot to invite the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Puducherry for the event.Like Yeddyurappa, many other Karnataka politicans, including former prime minister Deve Gowda, are staunch devotees of Lord Saneeswara.