Mysuru: With the Indian Army destroying Pakistani Terror bases and camps across the border in a successful Military operation termed ‘Operation Sindoor’ yesterday, in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack by Pak backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir last month in which 26 Hindu tourists lost their life, special pujas were performed at all Muzrai temples across the city and district this morning, praying for the well-being of the country and Soldiers.

Yesterday, Muzrai and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy had issued an order directing all Muzrai temples in the State to perform special pujas in the name of ‘Sindoor,’ praying for the safety and well-being of the country and our Soldiers. Subsequently, the district authorities had directed the priests of the temples to perform special ‘Sindoor’ Puja this morning.

Following the order, special pujas were performed at all Muzrai temples between 6 am and 7.30 am this morning. The rituals, which began with ‘Sankalpa,’ concluded with the performance of special Abhishekas and other associated rituals.

The major Muzrai temples where ‘Sindoor’ special puja was performed included Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill, Srikanteshwaraswamy Temple at Nanjangud, Jwalamukhi Tripura Sundari Temple at Uttanahalli, all Muzrai temples in and around the Palace and Panchmukhi Anjaneya Temple on Irwin Road, among others.

At Sri Karya Siddi Anjaneya Temple

Yuva Bharat Sanghatane and Veer Savarkar Yuva Balaga offered a special puja at Sri Karya Siddi Anjaneya Temple, opposite JSS Mahavidyapeetha in the city yesterday, praying for the success of Operation Sindoor launched by Indian defence forces against the terror cells in Pakistan in retaliation against the Pahalgam incident, in which 26 tourists, majority among them Indians were killed by the terrorists on Apr. 22.

Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa and former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha, who applied tilak (vermilion) on each other’s forehead, welcomed the daring military action of the armed forces in the name ‘Operation Sindoor.’

Speaking to media persons, Prathap Simha said, “we grew up hearing about how Kashmir was hailed as the tilak of Bharat Mata. The terrorists wiped off the Sindoor of many married women in the massacre unleashed at Kashmir, which has now been avenged with an operation carried out  in precision.”

“Modi hasn’t reached this stature by mere sloganeering, but has emerged as a leader who can give a befitting reply. He has sent shivers down the spines of the terrorists who wiped off the sindoor of our women. I thank our proud soldiers and the Prime Minister, on behalf of the whole Indians and Kannadigas,” said Prathap Simha.

Earlier too, following the Pulwama incident, Modi gave a fitting reply with a decisive action within 12 days of the incident. In the same time span, the Pahalgam killings have been avenged with a air strike hitting Pakistan hard in its own soil. Our soldiers and jets have returned safely, displaying the might of the Indian army, added Simha.

“The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made the whole country proud by conducting nuclear tests at Pokhran. Now, Modi too stands in the same league by acting in vengeance,” lauded Simha.

Referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sporting a tilak on his forehead yesterday, Simha said, this shows ‘How Hindu community stands united and the political leaders change       their colours.’

In another reference to KPCC tweet calling for maintaining peace with a quote of Mahatma Gandhi on its twitter handle, that sparked outrage yesterday, Simha asked, “Whether the country won its freedom on the plank of peace alone? It was not just Gandhiji’s mantra for peace, but also of the revolutions carried out by Bhagat Singh, Veera Savarkar, Subhas Chandra Bose and others, which contributed in winning freedom from the British ultimately.”

“Peace will be restored after the war and it is with the same zeal that the war is on,” asserted Prathap Simha.

Lambasting Congress party, Simha said, “Congress was the reason behind the birth of Pakistan and can be aptly described as ‘Father of Pakistan.’ Whenever India goes to war against Pakistan, it pains  Congress. One should understand the party’s mindset and it was precisely same mindset that influenced Siddaramaiah to chant the mantra for peace stemming from the sufferings inside.”

Former Corporator M.D. Parthasarathy, President of Yuva Bharat Sanghatane Jogi Manju, President of Veer Savarkar Yuva Balaga Rakesh Bhat, BJP leaders R. Paramesh Gowda, Director of Jeevadhara Blood Bank Girish, President of KMPK Trust Vikram Iyengar, specially-abled sports- person Alok Jain and others were present.

Initially CM Siddaramaiah was averse to war against Pakistan, becoming a hero among Pakistanis. Following the backlash, Siddaramaiah changed his stance. Congress too had tweeted a message for peace, but had to delete the tweet, following the people’s ire. Fearing this, Siddaramaiah applied Sindoor becoming ‘Sindoora Ramaiah.’ —Prathap Simha, former MP