TIRUCHY: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa offered prayers at the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple here and received the ‘poorna kumbamariyadhai’ in a special golden pot, given only to rulers of the land.Clad in a royal crison red saree, she arrived at 11 pm at the entrance of ‘Ranga Ranga Gopuram’ on the eastern side, where she was given a ceremonial royal welcome wby the temple priests Sundar Bhattar and Nandhu Bhattar.She, along with her aide Sasikala, offered prayers at the Karudalvar Sannadhi through the Karthigai Gopura Vasal.Then, she worshipped at the Ranganathar Sannidhi, where the Lokha Kshemartha Archana, a prayer for the happiness of the world, was performed.She proceeded to receive dharsan at Garudalvar sannadhi and then prayed to Lord Anjeneyar and had a Vimana darshan. After worshipping at the temple, she went to the Karthigai Gopuram where she donated a battery car to the temple authorities. She along with Sasikala went around the temple in the vehicle. She also presented another battery car, on behalf of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department.She was given prasadham by the temple authorities which included Vasthram (a piece of cloth blessed by the Lord), Abhayahastam (blessed sandal powder) and garlands.Describing the ceremonious welcome, the temple priest Sundar Bhattar said, “The golden pot kumba mariyaadhai is a rare thing as it is given only for the rulers.As she rules the State, it was accorded to her for her well being and for the people of the State.” Despite the CM’s visit to the temple, there was free movement of devotees. Even at the entrance, public were not restricted as they were seen moving two or three feet close to the CM, much to the anxiety of the security personnel.The usual festoons, party flags and glittering display of cut outs were not seen around the temple and it was obvious that the Chief Minister had ensured that the people’s normal life were not affected even for a few minutes.Jayalalithaa had made it very apparent that she was visiting the temple as a devotee and not as a ruler of the State or a celebrated leader of a mass movement.Pleasantly surprised, the people, especially women from Srirangam who gathered in large numbers, were elated to see the Chief Minister at a very close distance.“I thought, I would not get a chance to see the Chief Minister and so I arrived on the temple premises by 9 am.But, no one stopped me from having a close look at the CM,” said Jayammal (68) of Mela Chithirai Veedhi.Earlier, the CM, who arrived by a special flight around 10.30 am, came to Srirangam in a car.Ministers O Panneer Selvam, KA Sengottaiyan, S P Shanmuganathan, K V Ramalingam and NR Sivapathi, District Collector Jayashree Muralidharan and DRO K Petchiammal were present.
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