Guwahati: As campaign slogans grow louder across the state, many candidates are making a stop at Kamakhya Temple, seeking divine favour ahead of the upcoming elections.The visits are widely seen as a calculated effort to connect with cultural sentiment during a crucial phase of campaigning. Ministers and MLAs, dressed in traditional attire, arrive at the sanctum sanctorum to take part in elaborate rituals conducted by temple priests, often away from public view but carrying clear political significance.Jyoti Kumar Sarma, priest and president of Bagala Temple in the Nilachal Hills, said one of the most sought-after rituals during election season is the “Bagalamukhi Puja.” “In order to avoid political hurdles, and become victorious in elections, that is the main purpose of the ritual. Whoever is the candidate, to help him or her win the elections, we take this resolution.”Temple authorities said politicians perform the ritual to please the goddess in the hope of electoral success. They added that, beyond victory, many also seek influence, attraction and the suppression of political opponents. “With just a few days left for the election, till now 50-60 politicians from different parties have performed pujas till now,” Sarma said.He said the puja must be performed according to prescribed vidhi and under the guidance of a knowledgeable priest because of its tantric aspects. Some politicians also take part in ‘bali’ puja, a sacrificial ritual, and badha puja, which is meant to remove obstacles.Kamakhya Temple receives an average of 25,000 to 30,000 devotees and has long drawn politicians from both the Congress and BJP.“Goddess Kamakhya is the eternal goddess, and no work can begin without first visiting the holy temple. While the temple sees devotees throughout the year, the number of visitors increases significantly during election period, as everyone brings their own hopes and devotion. Most politicians are devotees of the Bagalamukhi Temple, while some also visit the temples of Goddess Tara, Bana Durga, and Lalita Kanta,” said Himadri Sarma, chief priest of Kamakhya.He said such visits have become more common in recent years. In earlier elections, politicians rarely made public appearances at the temple, but the rise of social media has turned such visits into a major publicity tool.
