Enter exponents of tantra and mantra disciplines; experts to preside over anushthans; horoscope readers and those skilled in numerology, palmistry and other esoteric sciences
In the run-up to the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, contestants are not just banking on political affiliations but are also seeking divine help to ensure they have a shot at the polls.
While submitting biodatas and peddling their case before party leadership, they are also reaching out to astrologers who can decipher what the stars have in store for them and help harness celestial energy for a favourable outcome.
Enter exponents of tantra and mantra disciplines; experts to preside over anushthans; horoscope readers and those skilled in numerology, palmistry and other esoteric sciences.
Not just fresh candidates, even senior leaders and those in charge of parties are looking skyward for answers and organising prayers to ensure victory.
Those who have already approached pandits include Union minister and state in-charge Prakash Javdekar, Union minister of state for Finance Arjun Meghwal and Jaipur mayor Ashok Lahoti (who is seeking to contest elections).
"As many as half a dozen ministers in the present government and several MLAs are in touch with me for anushthans," says Kumar Ganesh, a mantra and body language exponent. "Senior leaders in charge of leading their party to victory have also consulted me."
Politicians mainly seek divine intervention at two stages — to obtain tickets and to ensure victory. And candidates commisioning the rituals are free to continue political lobbying while priests take care of canvassing for them with universal forces. "We only require that the person comes when the rituals begin and then during the purnahuti (final prayers). In between, a set of 11 or 21 pandits continue the process," says Pandit Rajesh Sharma, an expert of tantra and reading horoscopes.
These celestial remedies don't come cheap — politicians are known to spend anything between Rs 5 lakh to a crore of rupees (or even more) for a havan, anushthan, jaap or pooja.
Secrecy is essential for tantrik and mantrik rituals, and both parties are sworn to it. "Tantrik rituals give better results if performed in secrecy," says Sharma, "Also we cannot take the risk of our client's rivals finding out about them and performing counter rituals."
Navratri was a ripe, auspicious time and many poojas and a large number of anushthans were undertaken. As per the pandits, these esoteric exercises will continue till results are declared on December 11.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Politicians")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}