Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar offers special prayers at Jagadishwari Amma temple in Ankola

Karwar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar appeared visibly elated after offering special prayers at the Jagadishwari Amma temple in Andle village of Ankola taluk. After completing the rituals, he assured temple authorities that he would return once again within a month. According to sources, Shivakumar chose to pray in complete solitude, keeping aside the ministers, MLAs and former legislators who had accompanied him. He spent over an hour inside the sanctum sanctorum, offering prayers and participating in special poojas. Apart from the temple priest, Ganesh Naik, no one else was present inside during the rituals.

Speaking to the media later, Shivakumar said he had visited the same temple five years ago along with his family and prayed for the fulfilment of a personal wish. “After my prayers were answered, I had returned to the temple to offer special pooja. Even now, I have come seeking divine blessings,” he said, without revealing the specific wish he prayed for. Temple priest Ganesh Naik said the Jagadishwari Amma shrine is known for devotees seeking fulfilment of their wishes through special rituals and divine signs. “Devotees decorate the deity and seek answers to their questions. If the wish is to be fulfilled, the goddess blesses them with prasada in five forms. On several occasions when D.K. Shivakumar sought divine guidance, the goddess granted prasada,” he said.

The priest added that although Shivakumar did not disclose the nature of his prayers, he appeared cheerful and confident after the pooja. “He left the temple in a happy frame of mind and assured that he would return within a month to offer prayers again,” Naik said.

Observers believe Shivakumar’s confidence reflects his strong faith in the deity and his belief that his prayers would soon be answered. “Many devotees return to the temple once their wishes are fulfilled. His happiness indicates a sense of assurance and belief,” the priest noted.

Before visiting Ankola, the Deputy Chief Minister had also offered prayers at the Mahabaleshwar and Mahaganapati temples in Gokarna, continuing his spiritual tour along the Uttara Kannada coast.