It is election time and candidates waste no time in making their presence visible in religious gatherings, casting aside their rationalist or atheistic background.
They are seen in places of religious congregation, be it a temple, church or mosque.
It was not a surprise when both All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidates were present at celestial wedding of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi in Siva temples in Dindigul and Theni districts on Tuesday.
Celestial wedding
The celestial wedding of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi organised by Ram Azhagar Devasthanam at Chinnalapatti in Athoor constituency was one such event in which both the major Dravidian rivals participated.
DMK candidate I. Periasamy spent an hour at the ceremony even while his AIADMK rival Natham R. Viswanathan waited in the town for his turn.
Later, Mr. Viswanathan took part in special pujas. Already, he had met priests in churches at several villages in Athoor.
But DMK and AIADMK rivals in Cumbum constituency, N. Ramakrishnan and S.D.K. Jakkaian, exchanged greetings and jointly participated in the celestial wedding at Sri Poolanandheeswarar and Sivakami Amman Temple at Chinnamanur in Theni district.
At the same time, Dindigul candidate C. Seenivasan (AIADMK) received the blessings of Bishop of Dindigul Diocese and other priests at St. Joseph’s Church in Dindigul around 7 a.m.
From Begampur mosque
His DMK rival M. Basheer Ahmad began his campaign from Begampur mosque.
Candidates waste no time in making their presence visible in religious gatherings
