Good god, these Tamil Nadu assembly poll candidates are moving heaven and earth to win

CHENNAI: Campaigning may be in full swing now, but the gods were put in play months ago. Since Dec, says Kodambakkam-based astrologer K B Gopalakrishnan, he has been juggling enquiries for the ‘shatru samharam' ritual. "Candidates believe it will help them vanquish their foes," he says.

Across party lines and city limits, families and inner circles of candidates are making a beeline for astrologers and priests, golden chariots are being pulled, elaborate rituals being commissioned, deities being bathed in milk, and even church masses booked, all in pursuit of electoral fortune.

"They first ask if they'll get a ticket. The next question is if they will win, and if not, when their time will come," says astrologer ‘Nalla Neram' Nagaraj, who as his name states, specializes in auspicious times.

"DMK, AIADMK and TVK candidates approach me for predictions. Some ask what colours to wear for better luck, if the election date is favourable for them, and from which temple to start their campaigns. They also look for auspicious times to file their nominations."

AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami and BJP's Mylapore candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan kick-started their campaigns at Kapaleeswarar Temple, while NTK's Seeman began his Karaikudi bid after offering prayers at the Tiruttani Murugan Temple, perhaps to offset the constituency's reputation as an "unlucky" seat. DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth contesting in Virudhachalam too offered prayers at the same temple.

Former Villivakkam candidate Sriharan Balan says some parties quietly vet horoscopes at the stage of candidate selection. "Winnability isn't just political, it's planetary," says Balan.

Astrologer Shelvi K Damodaran says candidates often align campaign activity with ‘guligai', a daily 90-minute window considered auspicious, as well as favourable hora periods such as surya, budha and chandra, while steering clear of mars and saturn hours. "Timing is treated as a strategy," she says.

In city temples, party cadres have been seen booking thanga rathams (pulling of the golden chariot), archanas (chanting), vada malai (garlands made of urad dal vadais) offerings for Anjaneyar, and annadanams (serving food for the poor).

Some have completed pilgrimages to Tiruvannamalai Temple, Meenakshi Amman Temple and local guardian shrines. "Cadres across party lines are booking rituals. Thanga ratham and other rituals connected to lord Murugan are famous in Palani, Vadapalani and Kapaleeswarar temple," say HR&CE officials.

Churches, too, report special mass bookings for candidates.

"Candidates visit Islamic places of worship, especially dargahs, before the election," says Ilyas Riyaji, head imam of Mandaveli mosque.