Did the talisman of Lord Hanuman prove lucky for US President-elect Barack Obama?
NEW DELHI: Did the talisman of Lord Hanuman prove lucky for US President-elect Barack Obama?
The answer is anybody's guess. But the contestants in Delhi assembly polls think God's blessings can prove beneficial in the polls on November 29.
A number of candidates have adopted several methods like carrying 'Hanuman Chalisa' during campaigning, setting 'Gayatri Mantra' as caller tune and conducting 'havans' to invoke the "invisible power" to sail through the polls.
"I always carry 'Hanuman Chalisa' with me. It gives me confidence and I feel secured about my victory," said BJP leader Vijay Jolly, who is contesting against Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit from New Delhi constituency.
"I have faith in people but at the same time I am a religious person also," Jolly added.
Blessings of almighty are equally important for Congress candidate Ramveer Singh Bidhuri.
"I take the name of God before leaving for campaign. It gives me strength. It is not superstition, it is about individual belief," said Bidhuri who has set the caller tune of 'Itni Shakti Hamen Dena Mata' on his mobile phone.
Religious hymns such as 'Gayatri Mantra' and 'Hanuman Chalisa' are among the most common caller tunes set on the cellphones of various contestants in fray.
Photograph of BJP's chief ministerial candidate V K Malhotra praying to God was seen in many newspapers. Malhotra, BJP state unit chief Harsh Vardhan and Jagdish Mukhi have also organised 'havans' recently.
"Havan has its own significance. It is the tradition of those who follow the Arya Samaj sect of Swami Dayanand Sarswati. We do not start any important work before havan," said Gulshan Virmani, a close associate of Mukhi.
He said Mukhi performed 'Havan' at a temple and also paid obeisance at a Sikh shrine near his residence before filing nomination paper.
BJP candidate from Malviya Nagar Rambhaj makes it a point to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha before going for campaigning.
"Though I believe in my deeds, I can't go out without chanting the name of Lord Ganesha," said the ninth time contestant.
Many leaders also consult astrologers to find auspicious time and date before filing nominations or kicking off their election campaigns.
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