Prayers, offerings in Karnataka temple for Jayalalithaa's recovery

Jayalalithaa, who was born at Melkote near Mysuru, is an ardent devotee of Chamundeshwari

Special prayers were offered on Friday to Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari near Mysuru in Karnataka for the speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who has been ailing in a Chennai hospital since September 22.

"Hundreds of Jayalalithaa supporters and followers offered prayers and conducted homam (fire worship) in the Chamundeshwari temple for Amma's health and long life," head priest Shashi Shekhar said.

The popular temple is located atop the hill on the outskirts of Mysuru, about 150 kms from Bengaluru.

Several followers and supporters of 'Amma' came to the temple from towns and villages in Tamil Nadu across the border, with offerings that included flowers, coconut, fruits and a blouse piece.

"On behalf of Jaya Publications and her Kodanadu estate, gold and silver ornaments valued at Rs 1.60 crore were offered to the deity at a special puja (worship) conducted to invoke the goddess' blessings on Jayalalithaa," said Shekhar.

The 68-year-old ruling AIADMK General Secretary, who was born at Melkote near Mysuru, is an ardent devotee of Chamundeshwari, an avatar of goddess Durga.

"Amma was a regular visitor to the temple for years and vowed to make offerings to the goddess. Her followers, mostly women, are fulfilling her vow as she could not come again since 2011," recalled Shekhar.

Offerings, including a silver-plated arch, a gold-plated crown and a gold-plated mace, were offered to Hindu gods Hanuman and Ganesha in the temple premises.