Superstitions about total lunar eclipse forces Karnataka politicians to perform 'special puja'

A rare celestial event will grace the skies today when a blue moon and lunar eclipse combine with the moon being at its closest point to Earth, resulting in what is being called a "super blue blood moon".

It is happening after 152 years and the last time it happened was in 1866. The event has kept the Internet abuzz from the beginning of the year and people are eager to witness the celestial event. But this is not case for our politicians, that too in poll-bound Karnataka, where politicians are conducting special poojas and rituals at their houses and temples, sensing bad omen.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister and JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda performed a Sathyanarayana Pooja at his house in Bengaluru.

Speaking to News18, Gowda said that it was a routine Sathyanarayana Pooja on poornima (full moon) and that there was nothing special about it. He said, "We perform Sathyanarayana Pooja on every full moon day and lunar eclipses happen only on full moon nights. I am a believer in god and Hinduism, I perform poojas with great belief and dedication."

Known for his immense faith in astrology, Deve gowda's elder son HD Revanna is also performing special poojas at several temples in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The Gowda family had performed a special Havan for 11 days, called "Athi Rudra Yaaga" at Shringeri, one of the four most ancient temples founded by Adi Shankaracharya.

However, B S Yeddyurappa family claims that he is not conducting any specials poojas to please the moon god on Grahana day. "There are no special pooja or anything. Some local news channels are running a false news that he is busy performing poojas," said his aide.

Also, State Congress campaign committee chairman and Power Minister DK Shivakumar, state Congress president Dr. G Parameshwara, JDS state chief H D Kumaraswamy and over a dozen cabinet ministers are expected to offer special prayers in the night, reports News 18.

Owing to total lunar eclipse on January 31, the local temples in various states will also remain closed for almost 12 hours.

OneIndia News