Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s recent visit to Mookambika temple in Kollur in Karnataka’s Udupi district where he presented a 1.6 kg silver sword to the presiding deity and participated in a special pooja, has rekindled memories of similar pilgrimages undertaken by other Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu in the past.AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran’s repeated visits to Kollur stood out particularly because of his long association with the Dravidian movement, which advocated atheism and rationalism among its core principles. Yet, MGR, as M.G. Ramachandran was fondly known, displayed visible personal devotion towards the presiding deity of Kollur, Goddess Mookambika.
A file photograph of the Mookambika Temple at Kollur in Udupi district of Karnataka
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Special Arrangement
MGR floated the AIADMK in 1972 and became Chief Minister in 1977. After returning to office following the 1980 Assembly elections, he paid a visit to the Mookambika temple in Kollur. The trips soon became an almost annual practice during his tenure as Chief Minister.A couple of years later, MGR, accompanied by his wife Janaki Ramachandran, arrived at Mangalore (now spelt as Mangaluru) on May 6, 1982 in a special coach attached to the West Coast Express. A report published in The Hindu said a large crowd had gathered at the railway station to welcome him, as the actor-turned-politician was immensely popular.The following year, MGR made his third visit to the temple during his second term in office. On May 5, 1983, he again arrived at Mangalore in the same West Coast Express along with Janaki Ramachandran. According to a report, he was received with temple honours.
