READ ALSO:

Now

, BJP says science a pygmy compared to astrology

A file photo of CM Chandrasekhar Rao performing a yaga. (TOI photo)

HYDERABAD: Known for his penchant for all things astrological, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is planning to perform the Ayutha Chandi Yaga, a mega ritual that involves 1,000 priests praying non-stop for 10 days. The yaga is believed to bestow the one performing it invincible powers.While the event is planned to be held in February next at KCR 's farmhouse near Gajwel in Medak district, where the priests will chant 700 mantras 10,000 times to appease Goddess Durga and offer oblations through 100 sacrificial fire pits (yagna kunda), the Yaga also includes far ancient rituals called Shatru Samhara and Raja Vashikarana which ancient rulers used to perform to overpower their enemies."Raja Vashikarana is the use of occult science in which mystical energy and tantric powers are used to control and regulate other people's minds, thoughts, and actions," said Bhanuprakash Sharma, a senior priest who is one among many to oversee the rituals.KCR has roped in priests from Sringeri (famous for Sharada Peetham established by Adi Shankaracharya) in Karnataka, who are the well-known experts in performing Chandi Yaga.Regarding Shatru Samhara, Bhanuprakash Sharma said it was a homa to be performed by person who constantly faces enemies. "It works as an armour to protect from enemies, evil eyes, curses, and gives power to overcome obstacles," he said.While the preparations have already began, two priests from Sringeri Mutt, Phani Shankar Sharma and Gopi Krishna Sharma, on Monday visited KCR's farmhouse and surveyed the location.On the rationale of the chief minister choosing to seek divine intervention through the rituals uncommon in the modern age, an official in the revenue department said KCR was worried about his populist schemes not working and failing to strike a chord with the masses and in turn providing the opposition parties a stick to beat him with. "In a recently held review meeting, the CM rued that even after enhancing the old age pension from Rs 200 from Rs1,000, the government was getting a bad name. While noting that the steps taken by the government were not effective to stop suicides of farmers and pensioners, he said something extraordinary must be done, even it meant seeking divine intervention," the official told TOI.Sources close to KCR, however, maintained that the ritual was not aimed at personal gains for the CM. On the other hand, it was being planned in the interest of the prosperity of the newly formed state of Telangana."The chief minister has not planned the Ayutha Chandi Yaga for his own gains. Now that we have achieved the statehood for Telangana, the new state needs the blessings and grace of the God apart from the good governance," said Seri Subhash Reddy, political secretary to KCR.Explaining the enormity of logistics involved for conducting the ritual, Subhash Reddy said, "Very few individuals have performed this Ayutha Chandika Yaga since it is not easy to do."Bhanuprakash Sharma claimed that former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Deve Gowda and Rajiv Gandhi had performed the ritual when they faced turbulence in their political careers.Sharma was in the team of priests that conducted the Ayutha Chandi Yaga for Deve Gowda in Belthanagadi taluk in Mangalore in Karnataka in 1999. His guru Bala Gopla Jois led the team to perform the Yaga for Indira Gandhi in 1976 in a village near Sringeri. Sharma also claimed that Rajiv Gandhi performed this Yaga in 1987 in Delhi.